Bernice Bernice Corcoran

If ever there was a person who saw the good in all people, it was our Mother, Bernice Corcoran. She was a practical person who brought calm and harmony to those around her. Though Bernice was enthusiastic and generous, she was not one to boast of her accomplishments. While she had a strong faith that underpinned her personal convictions, she never abandoned those she held dear. Through her strong belief, Bernice always sought out and found the good in others. Her lifelong motto was to always make the best of any situation through hard work and perseverance, while being prepared for some of life's inevitable disappointments. This philosophy was to be a continual driving force in her life, and it kept alive the bright light and energy that defined her.

      Mom was born Bernadette Viola Lariviere on February 18, 1927 at her home in Bonfield, Ontario. Her parents were Annie and Joseph Zephirin Lariviere. Bernice (as she was referred to at an early age, was raised in the area around North Bay. She grew up in various locations in that area, including Trout Creek, Corbeil, Callander and Powassan, since her father worked in seasonal labour on the highways and in the forests of the area. As a youngster, she demonstrated an excellent vocabulary and command of both the French and English languages. She was a deeply compassionate person, a quality that she would carry with her throughout her life. Even at a young age, Bernice was sensitive to the needs of those around her, especially those of her parents and 11 siblings. She worked hard to serve them and to live up to their expectations.

      Throughout her life, Mom showed a remarkable ability to mend relationships. This was true even with her siblings. She was always caring, diplomatic and tolerant of the feelings of those around her. Bernice was raised with 11 siblings - all sisters. Diane, Corinne, Malvina (Molly), Rose, Theresa, Margaret, Rita, Isabel, Cecile, Annette and Yvonne. Bernice was constantly involved in activities with her sisters - at least those who were living at home while she was there. Bernice and her sisters shared the typical rivalries while growing up, but they cared deeply for one another and kept in close touch throughout their lives. She was especially close to those sisters nearest in age, such as Rose, Theresa, Marg, Isabel and Cecile and those that lived nearest the Soo, such as Rita, Annette and Yvonne.

      As a young girl, Bernice lived a childhood that many might consider poor by the social standards of that day, but her home was filled with love and caring. She proved herself willing to adapt to almost any situation she encountered. She would play with her many sisters and the neighbour children. In her spare time, she liked to bake with her mother and help her parents with chores. She was particularly adept at pastry making as well as sewing, knitting and quilting. As as young girl growing up in Corbeil, she would enjoy going next door on weekends to witness the unique phenomenon that had launched that community into international notoriety - the Dionne Quintuplets!

     School was a time for Bernice to seek out knowledge. She enjoyed learning and had a natural interest in reading. She had a natural flair for math and poetry and was very expressive and articulate, especially when it came to her drawings. She enjoyed school for the most part, but growing up in those days meant having to leave school as soon as she could go out to work to help her parents and to support herself.

Though she never had the chance to pursue higher education formally, she gained a wealth of knowledge from her voracious appetite for reading. In later years, she would be asked to speak to groups about her work in the Girl Guides or about her many crafts, such as quilting, baking, woodworking, tole painting, knitting and crocheting.

      Bernice was always warm and receptive to new friends and new ideas. She was a loyal and devoted friend to those around her over the years. She had a quick wit and an easygoing and open-minded attitude towards life. She presented a calm and pleasant face to the outside world, even if she sometimes felt pain, discomfort or fear. She sought to achieve harmony and peace with those around her. She possessed the ability to mend conflicts and avoid interpersonal struggles. Some of her best friends while growing up were her own sisters and she kept in close touch with all of them throughout her life, no matter where they lived across Ontario.

On August 13, 1947, she married William J. P. Corcoran, in a joint wedding in Hamilton, with her sister Margaret, and Dad's best friend, Herbert (Herbie) Hauser at their side. Both couples had met at one of the many local dances in and around the Hamilton area.

After moving to Sault Ste. Marie with Dad in the early 1950s, she became close friends with Armand and Violet Gagnon and their 6 daughters and all their families. One of those was Annette Grenier, who, along with her husband Emile were lifelong family friends. There were many close friends over the years that included Theresa and Roy Cudmore, Lorna and Orlando Chiapetta, Lily and Walter Parniak, Audrey and Harry Heywood, Rita and Bill Wagner, Mugsy and Bud Bennett, Zephy and Charles (Chuck) Aubin, Dody Cress, Mary and Wilbur (Wib) McAuley, Marie and Walter Chisholm, Myrtle and Fred Pinder, Mrs. Orlando, Mr. and Mrs. Lambert, Vivian and Fred Mills, Mary and Don Bazely, Carolyn and Walter (Skippy) Chisholm, Odille Wilson, Betty and Hartley Russell, Andy and Mrs. Lahaye, Meg and Dr. Fogg, to name a few!

      And Bill was the love of her life. Bernice cared passionately for her husband. Their deep loyalty and strong commitment to each other brought a sense of joy and completeness to their marriage that was a model for all of us. Certainly, they had their issues, but none of these were serious enough to sever the bond they shared for 60 years.

      Mom was a gentle person who held deep feelings for each of her seven children. She enjoyed having fun with her kids and was, at times, fiercely protective of them. She showed great empathy in her willingness to try to give family members a voice in family decisions. She and Dad were blessed with seven beautiful children: Sandra Ann, Linda Margaret, William Philip, Peter Daniel, Patrick Joseph, Timothy Mark, Christopher Paul. They were also blessed with thirteen grandchildren, Shirley-Lynne, Paul, Jennifer-Lynne, Matthew, Emily, Sean, Vanessa, Philip, Michael, Erin, Amy, Molly and Phoebe.

      With her strong sense of integrity, Mom was loyal and committed in her largely volunteer work, just as she was in all aspects of her life. She worked well with fellow volunteers and workers and showed great cooperation in reaching common goals. Though she may have had a tendency to take on too many tasks on her own, she showed incredible patience with complicated situations. She was ingenious and trusted her natural intuition. For her, the application of logic could, at times, be optional, since she appeared to filter all her decisions through her very large heart. Nevertheless, she always seemed able to accomplish difficult tasks with exceptional results. She was most comfortable working on the projects and jobs that she strongly supported. Her primary occupation was always looking after her children, her husband and her household. Nevertheless, she was quite entrepreneurial with her market gardening and, latterly, her home-based upholstery business. She worked well alone, but was able to press any of us children into service when and as needed. She would guide us with a loving hand and a smile to teach us skills we would later be grateful for having.

      Mom enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in the many hobbies and pastimes. Lord only knows how she found the time, but her favorite pursuits were in the areas of baking, sewing, gardening (particularly flowers, but also fruits and vegetables), playing cards with friends and family, doing puzzles (particularly crosswords and jigsaws). She especially enjoyed reading to her children and her grandchildren. Since she grew up speaking French, she would, from time to time, share her knowledge of this language in the context of "You know, In French, we have a word for this...". She was content to pursue her hobbies alone, but she was always willing to share her interests with others who wished to learn. Some of her favourite television shows were Bonanza, Ed Sullivan, Walt Disney, I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, Front Page Challenge, What's My Line?, All In The Family, Jeopardy and The Price is Right.

      Mom enjoyed sitting by the beach and swimming in Lake Superior, skating, skiing and snowshoeing in the winter outdoors and, from time to time, even bowling. Bernice also enjoyed watching sports and liked to follow her favorite teams whenever she got the chance to do so. Tops on her list was probably NHL hockey, particularly the playoffs. She would loved to watch this with Dad and all of us children on Saturday nights. She was especially excited to see her Toronto Maple Leafs pair off against their arch-rivals, the Montreal Canadiens.

      Mom was a practical, believing humanitarian. Her deep concern for others made her a valuable asset to the many clubs and organizations to which she belonged or volunteered. Because she truly wanted to make a difference, she was actively involved in these groups throughout her life. Mom was passionate in her beliefs and, being a natural communicator, she could manage impressive results when involved in a project or cause. Throughout her later years, she was an active member of the Catholic Women's League, the Girl Guides of Canada and Birthright, where she volunteered selflessly and even held down senior positions of responsibility.

      With a calling to help others and a fierce conviction for the causes in which she believed, Mom would work hard for her values and principles. She was a loyal member of several community groups, serving on committees for the church, the township, the Soo Seniors' drop-in centre, Birthright and Girl Guides. Politically, Mom kept her own counsel, but supported the local politicians, MPPs and MPs who worked to serve Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma region.

      Mom took all her personal and moral obligations seriously. She was a strong defender of her faith. She was a devout Roman Catholic and a devoted member of St. Aloysius Church (Gros Cap), St. Veronica's (Bayview), St. Joseph the Worker Church (Korah) and, in later years, Precious Blood Cathedral (Sault Ste. Marie). During all that time, she was actively involved in Church bazaars, Strawberry Festivals, Children's Days and distributions of Christmas and Easter cheer packages. She instilled, in all her children, a strong faith and sense of duty, with an understanding of service to those in need or less fortunate.

      Being a selfless and humble person, Mom never sought approval from outside, but she was heartened by the recognition she received for her many good deeds. Some of her most prestigious awards included letters of commendation from the Girl Guides and Birthright, as well as letters of recognition from the Prime Minister and Premier on achieving her 90th birthday.

      Mom enjoyed traveling and going away on vacations, even if they were short ones, to North Bay and Hamilton to see family. Taking trips provided the chance for her to relax from daily chores, get up to date with family and friends, as well as to visit new places and see new things. Favorite vacations included several trips to Orlando, Florida with her daughter Linda and her family, visits to see her children and grandchildren in southern Ontario, a family sponsored cruise to Alaska along the BC coast with Dad, her trip to Saudi Arabia with Dad to visit their newest grandson at the time, Michael, and a Mediterranean cruise that took them both from Portugal through Spain, France, Italy, Yugoslavia and back again.

      Mom was a lover of animals and cherished all the pets we would bring home as children. She allowed us to have many, such as dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters - and many of these at the same time! Her favourites were probably Blaze (our Collie) and Lucky (our Spaniel). Both lived for many years and were with us, while growing up, for nearly 30 years, combined.

      It is kind of hard to say when retirement finally came for Mom; there were always new projects and crafts popping up. She was always so active, one could say she never really retired. But after Dad took his retirement in 1982, she joined him in this new phase of his life and career. She was no less active, but now this was retirement - their 'golden years'! After settling more in their city home in Sault Ste. Marie, with short visits out to the original family home at Gros Cap, on Lake Superior, Mom and Dad eventually decided to sell the country home and stay in the city. In retirement, she continued her visits and card games with the friends and neighbours she held close: Annette Dowkes, Lucy Scarfone, Rita Wagner, Carolyn Chisholm and Rita Heywood, among others. She also took great pleasure in visiting with her children and grandkids when she was able. Even in retirement, Mom continued to stay in touch with her old friends while making plenty of new ones. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities that retirement offered.

      Mom passed away on May 2, 2017 at the F. J. Davey Home in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. She remained relatively healthy and strong into her final years, but was slowly slipping away from us, likely wanting most to be reunited with Dad, who had passed away 10 years earlier in 2007. She is survived by all her children, and her many grandchildren, great-grand children and great-great grandchildren. Mom was laid to rest in the family plot at Hillside Cemetery in Prince Township, where she is at rest with our father, William, and our brother-in-law, Brian Dearing.

      Bernice Corcoran was someone who was able to see the world as a good and honorable place. She viewed the people who inhabited it as essentially good. A person who tended to see the world in a wide spectrum of colours and opportunities, she focused on the good she saw in everyone, knowing that there would be times when one would have to compromise. She was selfless and deeply committed to all things good and holy. She was a person who would keep her eye on tomorrow and constantly remind us to hold onto our dreams. She was capable of great intuition at times, and we often joked that she must have had "eyes in the back of her head". It was her exceptional insight, quiet reserve and deep compassion that became her trademark qualities for all who knew her, and these were some of the many reasons why all who knew her loved her.

She will be forever loved and deeply missed. Hers is a legacy of service and love.

Bernice will also be fondly remembered for her many expressions. Here are some memorable 'Bernice-isms' shared by her family.

"Well, you know, it's like this...." (whenever she was confronted with a challenge or a difficult question)

"Oh hi, it just me...Mom..." (whenever she called, or had to leave a message on the answering machine)

"Tea fixes everything" (when trying to calm down an upset person, particularly her children and their spouses)

"Well, you know, a baby never cries for no reason." (gentle and sage advice for young parents reaching the end of their ropes)

"Oh, what a beautiful day!" (when greeting a bright, sunny morning)

"Red sky in morning, sailors take warning; red sky at night, sailors' delight" (when predicting the weather for the next day)

"Rain before seven (am), clear before eleven (am)" (when predicting the likely persistence of morning rainfall)

"I spy with my little eye...." (when engaging a youngster in a game of guessing)

"Come here, I need your clever little fingers...." (when recruiting one of the children or grandchildren to help her with a task - usually a fun one)

"Look after your pennies, and the dollars will look after themselves" (when instilling her strong fiscal prudence in each of us)

"Hmmmm, I have a little chore for you." (generally, a lead-in to a task that was going to take considerable time for a youngster)

"Sandy! Linda! Billy! Peter! Pat! Tim! Chris!..." (as she exhausted the list to try and find the right name when she was upset or flustered)

"Just wait till your father gets home!" (when threatening to raise an issue to a (presumably) higher level and focus one of us on "fessing up")

"Eeeek, Bill! Watch out!" (in the car, to which Dad would tersely reply, "Bernice...., I'll do the driving.)

"Shoot machine!" (when prodding the dealer for the next card in Cribbage or Euchre)

"Lead on MacDuff!" (borrowing from Shakespeare's MacBeth to prod on her card game companions)

"Fifteen-two, fifteen-four, fifteen-six ...and the rest don't score" (when counting up a hand in Cribbage)

"Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!" (another favourite, borrowed from a popular song, when she was extremely happy with her dealt hand)

"Damn the torpedoes!" (borrowing from Adm. David Farragut, when going for broke in Euchre or Cribbage)

"Oh, don't throw THAT away!" (when she was sure that she would find yet another use for something that had pretty much outlived its usefulness)

"Well, what does Mrs. McGillicuddy say?" (when she could not recall the name of a teacher or one of her acquaintances)

"Here, take this back to 'Gumpus' and thank him." (when she could not immediately recall a name)

"To Hell with that!" (when she came up against a suggestion that was clearly a 'non-starter')

Messages of love and farewell from the Funeral Service:

From Shirley-Lynne Kimbrough (nee Gordon) - granddaughter:

"First, let me say I Love Grandma very much, just as I Love all of you.  My condolences to all of my family.

Grandma was a hard working, talented, and special lady.  She was a gardener, upholsterer, painter, crafter, homemaker, awesome baker and most of all a Mom of Seven! Each of her children have many talents also. They have raised beautiful families and the generations go on.

I remember Sunday dinners at Gros Cap. As a child, it looked soooo big. There were fresh vegetables from her garden and usually some kind of berry desert, my favourite was any kind of cheesecake ... which is still my favourite today ... I also can't forget her Strawberry Shortcake - YUM!!  I remember swimming in Lake Superior, walking down her driveway, many times barefoot. It was fun helping pick vegetables or fruit from her garden or in the wild. She would walk around with us Grandkids smelling the flowers in her garden - "WATCH OUT FOR BEES - don't swat at them! If you leave them alone, they will leave you alone." She would say.  Through the years, dinners had more than one table to fit us all!!

Cherish all of your memories with everyone. Time flies much too fast. It's hard losing the ones we love; it hurts our heart!!  Grandma and Grandpa are re-united now and how their hearts must soar! Two angels embrace together forever more. 

Grandma, you will Forever have a space within my heart. You are my last Grandparent to be taken home. You were lifted up by the angels who took you home and back to Grandpa.  I will Love you Always and Forever. I will miss you, may you Rest in Peace. Kisses sent to Heaven!"

From Peter Corcoran - son:

"Dearest Mom;

Wow! Congratulations on your graduation! There must be some kind of homecoming party in heaven tonight after getting back their beautiful daughter, sister, wife, mother, grand-mother, great AND great-great grandmother. We can only hope and pray that our return will be as joyful and triumphant. And we know that Dad is smiling ear-to-ear to have his lovely bride back at his side!

When looking back on special shared moments, where do I begin?

When we locked Papere (grandpa - your Dad) in the outhouse?

When we got lost on the mountains at Gros Cap while picking blueberries?

When we planted peas and picked beans and hilled potatoes and husked corn?

When we baked bread, or pressed cookies or fluted piecrust?

When the pizza landed on the 'just washed' kitchen floor and you and Dad brought company home to ”sample our finest Chef Boy-Ar-Dee”?

When we spent long summer days at the beach?

When we spent years digging and wheeling hardpan earth from the basement excavation to the woods beside our ancestral home?

When we lifted the lid on the Blue Mountain Lazy Susan to sample Christmas candy - and it came out as one big aggregated stone?

When we came face to face with a porcupine while picking blueberries, again, on the mountain?

When we picnicked in the early days of Spring on the only warm grass that peaked out from under a field of lingering, melting snow?

These were just some of some of the many moments when great memories were made - and, folks, you can ask me later about those - memories that will last me a lifetime. But those were the real gifts you gave us, Mom. Those and the true values you instilled in the hearts and souls of each of us, your children.

'Be sincere, be gracious and be good to others.'

'Always tell the truth, no matter how hard that is.'

'Help those less fortunate.'

'Be ever humble and serve those in need.'

'Look after your pennies and the dollars will look after themselves.'

'Always be truly thankful for the many wonderful blessing you have - even if you do not think they are so many or so wonderful.'

Now, I doubt if I was able to always do all those things. In fact, I think I probably was NOT. But you were - and you were, as always, RIGHT. You and Dad did much to teach us right from wrong and the value of hard work and of living by those values.

Your selfless devotion and dedication to your family, your home, your friends and your work was your hallmark. Your strong sense of civic duty and responsibility in answering the needs of others showed in all your work, whether with the CWL, Birthright, the Canadian Census, or the Guides and Brownies. It will stand as model for us and everyone who came to know you.

Yours was a life fully lived.

Yours was a life fully shared.

Yours was life of infinite grace and beauty that shone on and infected everyone you encountered.

Mom, we will always love and miss you, but we all know that you are now in a much better place, with Dad.

May God continue to bless and keep you - forever - in His love.

With love from Christina, Peter, Vanessa, Jim, Michael, Veronica, Lucie Violette and Sophie Pearl

CORCORAN, Bernadette (Bernice) Viola (née Larivière) - Into God’s loving arms she was received in her 91st year on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Faithful and loving wife of the late William J. P. Corcoran and cherished mother of Sandra Gordon (Fred), Linda Dearing (late Brian), William (May), Peter (Christina), Patrick (Pauline), Timothy (Nancy) and Christopher (Gae). Adored by her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Beloved daughter of the late Annie and Joseph Larivière and sister of the late Diane Baldasaro (late Wally), the late Corrine McDonnell (late Benny), the late Malvina (Molly) Englehart (late Phillip), the late Rose Mills (late Reginald), the late Theresa Hutchinson (George), Margaret Hauser (Herbert), the late Rita Coolbear (late Ernest), Isabel Sullivan (Fred), the late Cecilia Chenowyth (late Laurne), the late Annette Chrêtien (late Alger), and Yvonne Dégagné (late Fern). Her many accomplishments included working with Census Canada, as well as volunteering for the Girl Guides of Canada, Birthright and other local causes. She loved life and lived it with devotion to God and her family and showed us what it meant to be a wonderful parent and responsible citizen. Her loving smile, her indomitable spirit and her gentle laughter, like the flowers of her beautiful garden, will be forever missed by all of us. May God grant her eternal rest and keep her, forever, in His love. A private family service is being held at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre. Interment Hillside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the FJ Davey Home Foundation or ARCH. Special thanks for the love and care of the staff of the FJ Davey Home Cedar Grove 2 for the last nine years. (Arrangements entrusted to the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre 705-759-2522).

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CORCORAN, Bernadette (Bernice) Viola (née Larivière) - Into God’s loving arms she was received in her 91st year on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Faithful and loving wife of the late William J. P. Corcoran and cherished mother of Sandra Gordon (Fred), Linda Dearing (late Brian), William (May), Peter (Christina), Patrick (Pauline), Timothy (Nancy) and Christopher (Gae). Adored by her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Beloved daughter of the late Annie and Joseph Larivière and sister of the late Diane Baldasaro (late Wally), the late Corrine McDonnell (late Benny), the late Malvina (Molly) Englehart (late Phillip), the late Rose Mills (late Reginald), the late Theresa Hutchinson (George), Margaret Hauser (Herbert), the late Rita Coolbear (late Ernest), Isabel Sullivan (Fred), the late Cecilia Chenowyth (late Laurne), the late Annette Chrêtien (late Alger), and Yvonne Dégagné (late Fern). Her many accomplishments included working with Census Canada, as well as volunteering for the Girl Guides of Canada, Birthright and other local causes. She loved life and lived it with devotion to God and her family and showed us what it meant to be a wonderful parent and responsible citizen. Her loving smile, her indomitable spirit and her gentle laughter, like the flowers of her beautiful garden, will be forever missed by all of us. May God grant her eternal rest and keep her, forever, in His love. A private family service is being held at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre. Interment Hillside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the FJ Davey Home Foundation or ARCH. Special thanks for the love and care of the staff of the FJ Davey Home Cedar Grove 2 for the last nine years. (Arrangements entrusted to the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre 705-759-2522).