Laurie Suzanne Bernard

Laurie Suzanne Bernard or “Madalin” was born on December 22, 1961 in El Paso, Texas and died on December 16, 2015 in Algiers, Louisiana. Survivors include her mother, Marilyn R. Bernard of Algiers; her father, John R. Bernard and wife, Harriett; brothers, Mike Bernard and wife, Sonia, and Larry Bernard; very special nephew and niece, Ian and Mia, all of Covington, Louisiana; aunt, Mary C. Bernard of Monroe, Louisiana; uncle, George and wife, Carolyn, of Jefferson, Louisiana; close friend, Scott England and daughter, Jania England of Algiers; and many, many dear friends, especially her fellow dog rescue friends.
“Maddie,” as she was affectionately known by her friends, graduated early from Ben Franklin High School and then attended LSU, Boston University, and San Francisco State. While in San Francisco, she had a short, but successful career as a film editor for Warner Brothers that included the films, “The Secret Garden,” “Godfather III,” and “Bugsy.”
To know Maddie was to love her and her quirkiness and varied interests in ever so many areas. She loved poetry, art, literature, languages, music of all kinds, and was always taking a class of some sort to learn something new!
But her ultimate passion and compassion were devoted to animals, especially dogs. She devoted countless time and unfailing energy to rescuing over 400 dogs through her non-profit organization USED DOGS. She remained in the city after Katrina tirelessly and unselfishly determined to rescue every stranded dog in the city. What a wonderful legacy she leaves. She touched the lives of innumerable “two-legged” and “four-legged” friends, and the world is a sadder, emptier place with her sudden, tragic death, all the more tragic because Maddie will never know the depth of her loss to those left behind.
Funeral services are Monday, December 28 at 11:00 A.M. at Mothe Funeral Home, 1300 Vallette Street in Algiers. Visitation is from 9:30 until the time of the service at 11:00 with interment immediately following at Lakelawn Park Cemetery in Metairie. Family requests that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to an animal rescue group of one’s choice. Family and friends may view and sign the online guest book at www.mothefunerals.com .