Fern (Bastarache) Jones Strineka Dec 16, 2018

Fern taught school at BFA Fairfax.

Fernande J. (Bastarache) Strineka

Leesburg, FL

Fernande “Fern” J. (Bastarache) Strineka, 81, passed away at Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans on Sunday December 16, 2018. Fern was born in Moncton, New Brunswick on February 17, 1937, daughter of the late Vital Bastarache and Flora Melanson.

Fern was brought up in Edmonston, NB and was the oldest child in the family. At the age of four, she knew that she was going to be a teacher and led “classes” with her friends and four siblings. She loved figure skating, playing the piano and violin, tennis, movies, reading and dancing. She received her teacher’s degree at the University of N.B. in Fredericton, where she was the President of her class and Secretary of the student council. While attending college in N.B., she went to a dance and met the love of her life, Dave Jones who was stationed at Limestone Air Force Base in Maine. They married and moved to Connecticut and eventually Vermont, where they raised their four children: David, Brian, Elaine and Ken.

After becoming a single parent, Fern earned her Masters degree from the University of Vermont.
She raised her four children with love and devotion and was so proud of all of them. She took great pleasure in her oral recollections of each of their childhood memories. The family spent summers at the cottage on the Ocean in St. Thomas, N.B. Canada.

Fern was a wonderful teacher who was loved by her students. She had a special way of conforming to their individual needs. Fern taught language arts and french at BFA Fairfax for 25 years. She was also the librarian trustee, teachers union representative, which paved the way for future teachers pay and benefits.

After marrying Stephen, Fern retired and moved to Florida for winters and spent summers at the cottage in N.B. She stayed active during her retirement leading aerobic classes, walking and spending time with her children. Her zest for life, positive and ageless attitude will always be remembered and well-respected.

Fern is survived by her three sons, David Jones of Burlington, Brian and his wife Evie Jones of Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, Ken Jones of Whitefish, Montana, her daughter Elaine Jones of Swanton, two brothers Gerald and wife Carmen Bastarache, Raymond and wife Monik Bastarache, two sisters Gilberte “Gibby” Bastarche and Jeannine Powers, three grandchildren: David James Therrien III, Tyler Deforest Jones and Kylee Morgan Jones.

Fern was also predeceased by the father of her children, Richard David Jones and her husband Stephen Strineka, retired Lt. Commander, U.S. Navy.

Visiting hours will be held, Wednesday December 19, 2018 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at A W Rich Funeral Home – Fairfax Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday December 20, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke’s Church, Fairfax. Burial will be in the spring in the family lot in St. Luke’s Cemetery at the convenience of the family. The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.