Berniece Olivia Gildner

After a long and remarkable life, Berniece Gildner (née Zimmerman) has passed away. Predeceased by her husband Donald, she will be dearly missed by her children Susan, Barbara (Mark), Gail (Gary) and by her grandchildren Geoffrey, Arden, Alison, Susan and great grandson Jett.

Berniece was the daughter of Karl and Violet Zimmerman and had one sister, Irene. She grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan.

Upon graduating, she left to continue her education at Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing. She then ventured to Toronto where she worked at Sunnybrook Hospital, met her husband, and they were the first couple to be married in the chapel on site.

They came west in 1955 and settled in the Belgravia area of Edmonton to raise their girls. Berniece was a dedicated wife, mother and nurse. Working many night shifts in both active treatment and private care settings, she was never afraid of hard work. Berniece obtained her BSC Nursing degree later in life.

A breast cancer survivor, she showed her passion for the cause by volunteering countless hours for Reach to Recovery.

Her greatest career accomplishment as an assessment nurse was to advocate for the elderly, making recommendations to help place them in care facilities. She also recognized the need for caregivers well being and was instrumental, along with her colleagues, in the formation of Caregivers Alberta.

A celebration of life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers and in honour of Berniece Gildner, an Endowment Fund is being created by Caregivers Alberta. A link for online donations will be available there soon. For the present, donations may be made by mailing your cheque to Caregivers Alberta, 12122 – 68 St NW, Edmonton AB T5B 1R1