Maria Glenda Bernard

Maria Glenda Maico Bernard

At the end of the Divine Mercy Chaplet and in the arms of her husband of 14 years, Steve Bernard, Maria Glenda Maico Bernard transitioned peacefully, into the Heavenly Realms Friday afternoon, October 27, 2023, after a brief and courageous battle with cancer.  Maria Glenda Maico Bernard was born on March 27, 1961, in Abuyog, Leyte, Philippines to parents, Consolation Austero and Sinforiano Realo Maico, whom were both educators.

To her family and friends back home, Glenda was affectionately known as “Dendai.” She was loved by so many, and relished spending time with extended family and celebrating many weddings, baptisms, and the ordination of her nephew, Father Dexter, of whom she was very proud.  Glenda was a very caring person, a loving daughter and a responsible sister to her siblings. Her cousin, Leonor, recently stated, “Growing up with Glenda, she was my neighbor, my dear cousin and a friend. I will miss her contagious laugh, her smile, her calls when we are down and worried about our families back home. She will always be my closest cousin and I miss her terribly.”

Glenda went to Notre Dame Catholic school. During high school, she was a member of the color guard – her cousin said, “I remember her waving the flags and twirling the batons.” In college, she went to Divine Word University in Tacloban City, where she finished with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She moved to Manila, where she began a career with the Civil Service Commission. Even while working, she did not stop learning and received a law degree while continuing her employment in Government service.

Glenda and Steve met on the Catholic dating app, Ave Maria. Steve had taken a job that sent him to Iraq and would take vacation to visit her every three months, finally marrying her in The Philippines, and then he made multiple trips until her visa came through and she was able to join him in Elgin, TX, where they made their home with several dogs and goats. She loved her gardens, where she took great pride in her beautiful flowers and bountiful vegetables.  She especially cherished her long walks with her neighbor, Sandra. She relished her friends from church and was very active in several ministries and prayer groups. She also loved serving as a Eucharistic Minister at Mass and serving the homebound, both ministries that she coerced Steve into helping with (and I’m sure Fr. Paul will make sure he continues).

She also leaves behind Steve’s daughter, Jamie Huston; her three siblings, her oldest brother, Noel and his wife Minda, who predeceased him; her older sister, Bella and her husband, Edgar; and her younger brother, Boboy. She was Godmother to several, including Michael Langham and many others, and also has many relatives, in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends who will miss her terribly.

In a special way, the family would like to extend their warmest regards and appreciation to the many beloved priests who provided sacraments to Glenda, especially in her time of need. While we are greatly saddened at her passing and will miss her terribly, we are comforted even more by her faith and her strength; in a time that could have brought her great anxiety, she relied heavily on her faith in God and the richness of the sacraments offered through the Catholic church. If there was ever anyone ready to meet Jesus and become a saint among saints, with the church triumphant, it was Glenda.

We also thank her family and friends who visited and called her, and to the Hospice Austin care team who helped provide for her comfort. She left this world in a way we all hope for: surrounded by loved ones, prayed up, and ready to meet her Savior. And while we can feel confident when we say we have a saint in heaven who is praying for us, we still have an obligation to pray for the deceased; so Glenda, we will pray for you, and we ask that you remember and pray for us. God rest your soul.

Family and Friends will gather for Visitation at Elgin Funeral Home, Thursday, November 2nd from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM with Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 3:00 PM.  A Celebration of Christian Funeral Mass will be conducted at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Elgin, Friday, November 3rd at 2:00 PM with Father Jonathan Raia presiding.  Christian Burial will follow at Elgin Latin Cemetery.