Bernadette Christina Maxwell
July 9, 1943 – September 11, 2016

It is with profound sadness that the family of Bernadette Christina Maxwell, 73, of Lunenburg, announces her death on Sunday, September 11, 2016 at the South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater.

Born in Broughton, England, Bernadette was the daughter of Ian and Anne (Bompas) Maxwell.

Bernadette arrived in Canada at the age of 2 years and attended elementary school in Vancouver. The family moved to Halifax where she finished her schooling and became a Nuclear Medicine Technologist, working in that field for twenty plus years. She put her husband Ron through law school while working, raising two children, doing a Bachelor of Arts Degree part time and being an activist against war. After leaving Nuclear Medicine she volunteered for patients’ rights and hospice for four years before she attended law school.

Following graduation from law school Bernadette, Ron and her dear friend Nancy Elliott set up the law firm, Stockton, Maxwell & Elliott with Bernadette representing many, many employees on a pro bono basis. Bernadette retired from law in 2009.

In addition to her work and activism Bernadette was an accomplished painter with a particular love and talent for watercolour. Having been interested in architecture from a young age, she drew plans for the first two houses she and Ron lived in on the South Shore and designed the renovation of their 1881 Lunenburg house. Her other interests included sailing and singing and she always had a couple of novels on the go.

Bernadette is survived by her husband, Ron Stockton, sons Tim Stewart (Roberta Forsyth), Toronto, Ian Stewart, Halifax, brothers David Maxwell (Linda), East LaHave, Matthew Maxwell and Peter Maxwell both of British Columbia and two step-grand-daughters (Chloe and Rubina). She was predeceased by her parents, her daughter, Christina, and a brother, Christopher.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy #3, Lunenburg. A Mass for Christian Burial for Bernadette will be held Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 2:00 pm at St. Norbert’s Catholic Church, 121 York Street, Lunenburg, Rev. Robert Rokusek officiating. A reception to celebrate and remember her life will follow at the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, Lunenburg.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders or to the South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater through the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore.