Donna Joyce (Simmons) (Darrach) Bernard, 81, recently of Warner, NH and formerly of Lawrence, MA. passed away peacefully on Wednesday at her daughter’s home. She was born in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada on August 12, 1940, daughter of the late Charles and Naida (Beaumont) Simmons. Donna was educated in Moncton attending Moncton Hospital School of Nursing. Here in the United States, she worked in a nursing home for more than 8 years. Upon moving to Lawrence, she changed careers and was employed as an LPN/CST for more than 33 years at the Lawrence General Hospital. She enjoyed knitting slippers and was very generous with her creations. She was an excellent cook (especially making soup!) and food was her love language. She kept her mind sharp with word searches and sudoku puzzles. Donna was friendly and outgoing and was never at a loss to make new friends. Donna was a longtime, active member of the First Calvary Baptist Church in North Andover. She could always be counted on to serve on a committee, provide willing hands in the kitchen and a sage word of advice for friends. Donna was an alto in the choir. In her early years, she sat in the balcony and would give her ‘hairy eyeball’ to her children to pay attention and not misbehave. It always worked! She had the mother-look down pat! Donna loved singing with her fellow members. She so valued the camaraderie with her church family, and she loved serving the Lord. She was the wife of the late Robert E. Bernard who passed in 2003 and sister of the late Helen Crossman and Peter Simmons. Her survivors include her children Gregg Darrach and Laura of Bow, NH, Kenda J. and her husband Gordon Howell of Warner, NH, Todd Darrach and Linda of Rhome, TX, Eleanor Darrach of Lawrence MA, Karan Bergeron and Moe of Lawrence, MA, Edward Bernard and Sandra Martinez of Lawrence, MA, Roberta Sedgwick and Bill of Lawrence, MA, Cynthia Bozek and David of North Andover, MA, and Gloria Sciuto and David of Dracut, MA; her brother Loy Simmons and Alma of Salisbury, NB Canada; 27 grandchildren; and a LOT of great grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the calling hours on Sunday, Sept. 19th from 3-5PM at the H.L. Farmer & Sons Bradford Funeral Home, 210 South Main St. (Rte. 125) Bradford. Her funeral service will be held on Monday, Sept. 20th at 11:00 at the First Calvary Baptist Church, 586 Mass Ave. North Andover. Interment will be private in Canada. Contributions in her memory may be made to the choir ministry at the First Calvary Baptist Church.