Our beloved mother passed away peacefully at home on March 26, 2021, at the age of 99. Bernice was the wife of William (pre-deceased), and mother of Paul (pre-deceased), Karen (Pradeep Kumar), Leonard and Andrew. Cherished grandmother of Sonia and Raman. Bernice was born in South Africa into a close-knit Norwegian settlers’ community. Her father was serving as a missionary in Madagascar, and so it was primarily her mother who brought up the four children. Bernice graduated from high school and then attended the University of Natal, earning a BA degree in 1942. Shortly after graduation Bernice joined the South African armed forces, where she learned to drive supply trucks and got training in radar monitoring. She met her future husband William during that time, as he was an engineer in charge of setting up radar stations along the coast of South Africa. They married on March 26, 1951. Several years later they emigrated to Canada, settling initially in Quebec where William worked as an engineer with Canadian Ingersoll Rand, and their four children spent their childhood years. During that time, Bernice was active in St Peter’s Anglican Church in Sherbrooke, serving in the choir and in the ACW. In 1981 the family moved to Ancaster, Ontario where William worked as a consulting engineer with GL Tiley and Associates. Bernice joined St John’s Anglican Church, and once again was an active member of the congregation. She played the organ for services at Wentworth Lodge for 29 years, only retiring at the age of 89. Bernice was a devout Christian whose special qualities were grace, service and kindness to all. She will be deeply missed. Bernice had spent several years at Extendicare following a fall, and we wish to thank Dr. Irene Tuttle, nurses Kim, Dennis, and Jocelyn and PSWs Michael, Leny and many others for their care during that time. When Mum became increasingly frail, we brought her home where she spent the last months of her life. During this time, Bernice’s youngest son Andrew provided extraordinary support, monitoring Mum’s health and coordinating homecare services. We wish to offer special thanks to Carolyn Kelsey for her dedicated and loving care during the final months of Mum’s life. Marlatt Funeral Home will be making arrangements for cremation, and a private interment will follow in the St. John’s Anglican Church Cemetery. Donations in honour of her memory should be made to St John’s Anglican Church, Ancaster.
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