By Haldimand Press Staff
HALDIMAND—Many residents of Haldimand County are mourning the passing of the County’s first official mayor, Lorraine Bergstrand, who passed away in the morning of March 9, 2023 following a battle with cancer.
Bergstrand, who recently celebrated her 70th birthday, was a pillar of the community for decades, beginning her local political career in 1989 as Ward 1 Councillor with Dunnville Town Council, in the days before Haldimand County existed as its own corporation.
Bergstrand would go on to serve as the last Mayor of Dunnville, and eventually the first Mayor of Haldimand County from 2000-2003, where the issues of the day included the need for more long-term care, which Bergstrand accomplished through expansions to Grandview Lodge under her tenure, and anti-smoking legislation, with Bergstrand passing the County’s first anti-smoking bylaw, which was seen as unpopular at the time but viewed much more favourably later on.
Bergstrand started a long-standing tradition of Haldimand County favouring female mayors, with Marie Trainer and now current Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley following in her footsteps.
Bentley shared words of condolence on Bergstrand’s passing, stating, “I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Lorraine Bergstrand. As the first official mayor of Haldimand County as its own entity, Lorraine was instrumental in setting a solid foundation for Haldimand County to build upon for years to come. Lorraine was a strong advocate for women in politics and administration, an inspiring and tenacious leader to many, and will leave behind a lasting impact. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and all those grieving.
“We’ve lowered flags at the County Administration building to mark her passing and honour a life taken too soon. Lorraine was a familiar and passionate presence in our community and she will be greatly missed.”
Support and condolences for Bergstrand online have praised her as a loyal, compassionate, and friendly leader, friend, and community member.
Her son Nathan Bergstrand shared the following post: “Life is precious and fragile. After dealing with unspoken pain for years, my mom lost her battle with cancer in the early hours of March 9, 2023.”
“She was my best friend, debate partner and inspiration in life. She and my dad have always been there for me and my kids. She was our matriarch, our big tough softy, and our guiding light. I’m so grateful for every moment we had together and that I got an extra few years after her aneurysms in 2013. Wish I had 10 more years with you mom, I’d settle for another day,” he continued. The post garnered over 250 replies from the community with an outpouring of support for the family.
In a post on the page Talk Haldimand, Rob Duncan remembered his friend: “Haldimand County has lost, in my opinion, the best mayor we ever had. Lorraine Bergstrand wasn’t just Haldimand County’s first mayor, she was also the Town of Dunnville’s last. She led the county through the first three years after amalgamation and didn’t always get the credit she deserved. Even people who never met her benefited from her leadership. The Caledonia arena, the removal of the parking meters in Dunnville, the smoking bylaw (not popular) were all things that made this community great. Those and hundreds of other little things, like Senior Support Services, and the expansion of Grandview Lodge, all made her the leader she was. Doing the ‘right’ thing isn’t always popular, but she made the hard choices we needed. Rest in peace Lorraine. We love and will miss you!”
Browsing through the hundreds of comments across various social media pages offered in condolence paints a clear picture of a person who held Haldimand County close to her heart in all that she did through the years.
Funeral details are available in the obituary notice below.
