Honoring Bernard Roebuck: Caring 4 the Caregiver

In tribute to Bernard Anthony “Sears” Roebuck, who passed away Feb. 26, 2023, his family established this fund to benefit one of the many special people who cared for him in his final months.

Bernard, 88, died from complications of vascular dementia following a long illness. A devoted family man, he was a good provider, fierce protector and enthusiastic supporter of those he loved. He expressed himself more in deeds than in words. In that spirit, his family would like to help Ayanna, a loving, memory care aide who is going through terrific hardship.

“After a 12-year relationship with my children's father, the children and I were forced to leave our home and belongings and start new, leaving us to turn to a shelter,” said the mother of five. “I have started working since then and am working to get my life back in order for my children and myself. I am so thankful to the people that have helped and continue to guide me down this path.” She and her children have been living in a shelter for six months.

A Special Woman

Despite her own struggles, Ayanna chose the difficult job of caring for those with dementia as an aide in a residential memory care facility. She used a paid car service to get to and from work until she was able to get a loan for a car a month ago. She has four years experience as an aide in assisted living, but only recently began working in memory care.

“I just love it,” she says of the specialty care and especially enjoys the hugs many residents give her. “That makes me happy.” After she gets her family resettled, she wants to go to college for a nursing degree.

Bernard's wife, Dollie, was impressed with Ayanna's personality and genuine compassion and care for her husband as well as his family and the other patients and their families. Ayanna is so focused on the residents and their families while at work, the Roebucks were surprised to learn from others that Ayanna was going through hardships of her own.

Her bosses say residents' families frequently rave about Ayanna and how especially good she is at her job. Her heart is as big as her smile.

The Need is Basic but Great

She is starting over and is in need of everything for herself and her children – ages 3, 5, 7, 9 and 16. Her priority is to give them stability by moving out of the shelter and into a rental home. She'll need to furnish it as well as clothe and feed her family, pay for childcare and meet her car note.

About Bernard

Bernard went through his own hardships in life but always put his family first. Raised in a small, Pennsylvania coal mining town, he enlisted in the Air Force right out of high school. His long-held dream quickly ended with a medical discharge due to eye issues. The Army accepted him anyway, only to medically discharge him from boot camp for the same reason. He moved to Cleveland and worked in the steel mills, a constant cycle of layoffs, night shifts and temporary side jobs. While saving to buy a car, he made the six-hour trip home to see his future wife by hitchhiking. Just when he had saved enough, his parents got one shot to buy the rental house they had called home for decades, so he gave all his money to them.

Bernard spent the majority of his career as a machinist at Republic Steel Research Center in Brecksville. Unable to complete his engineering degree after two years due to cost, he provided well for his family and sent both his children to college. He had a wide array of interests throughout life, enjoyed spending time with family, relatives and his many friends, and telling corny dad jokes.

To All Bernard's caregivers

We are so grateful to the many phenomenal aides, nurses, doctors, administrators and occupational, speech and physical therapists who cared for him and treated him with love, dignity, patience and respect. Thank you all!