Bernadine C. "Bernie" (McCusker) Aylward passed away at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers on March 28, 2016. She was 80 years of age. Bernie was born in Cambridge on November 14, 1935 to the late Walter & Marylena (Silva) McCusker. She was raised in Cambridge and graduated from Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School. Mrs. Aylward has been a resident of Melrose for over 50 years. Bernie was a very hard working woman her entire life. She started out working for the Yellow Pages at New England Telephone/ Verizon before working in special services and ending her career in labor relations. Mrs. Aylward was a member of I.E.B.W. Local # 2222 and the Retiree Club. Bernie enjoyed taking trips to Myrtle Beach, outside gardening and sitting on her front porch of her home in Melrose. She was the beloved wife of 58 years to the late Raymond J. Aylward Sr. Loving mother of Raymond J. Aylward Jr. & his wife Maryellen of GA, Lynda A. Gutro of Melrose and Sean P. Aylward of Melrose. Caring grandmother of Ryan Gutro and Brittany Aylward. Loving sister of Florence Bickford of Orange, Anne Wall of Saugus and the late George McCusker, Walter McCusker & James McCusker. Also survived by several nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Friday, April 1, 2016 from 9:00-11:00AM, followed by a funeral service at 11:00AM. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend. Burial at Cambridge Catholic Cemetery in Cambridge. To send a message of condolence please visit www.gatelyfh.com