BERNCASTLE, Elizabeth Ann Mayer de Berncastle

Passed away peacefully this week at the age of 90 in Vineland, Ontario, where she resided at United Mennonite Home. Before that, Elizabeth called the Niagara Peninsula home after moving here from her birthplace of Hamilton. Intermittently, Elizabeth spent years living overseas, including Hungary, India, and China.

Elizabeth taught newcomers to Canada English, advocated for the natural environment, and engaged with multicultural issues that she shared in conversation. Elizabeth became a member of the Baha’i Faith in her teens, shortly after her diagnosis with spina bifida, which created walking and other physical challenges. She was fiercely independent and was known to overcome any obstacle she met.

She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. John Mayer de Berncastle, who was the founding professor of the Philosophy Department at Brock University. As a faculty spouse, she promoted numerous causes, clubs, and courses, such as Speed Reading. She is survived by her four children, Lisa, Michael, Nicholas, and Sita, her eight grandchildren, including Jeff and Kyle, Takuma and Mariko, Eric, Lucas, Razia, and Adrian. She became a great-grandmother to Tomoka, born last summer in Japan.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the caregivers at United Mennonite Home, Lookout Ridge Retirement Community, as well as Hotel Dieu Shaver – where Elizabeth received physiotherapy over many years.

On Friday, February 6th, we invite you to a social gathering starting at 10am at Cudney’s Funeral Home in Welland. In keeping with Elizabeth’s wishes, the program at 11am will include a Baha’i prayer for the departed recited in the memorial hall. This will conclude with a chance for those gathered to share anecdotes or stories about Elizabeth.

In lieu of flowers, may we humbly suggest you consider making a donation to Shaver Hospital or Oxfam Canada in her memory.

Events

Visitation
Friday, February 6, 2026
at 10:00AM – 11:00AM
H.L. Cudney Funeral Home
241 West Main Street
Welland, ON L3C 5A4
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Service
Friday, February 6, 2026
at 11:00AM
H.L. Cudney Funeral Home
241 West Main Street
Welland, ON L3C 5A4