Bernice Beach Candee Leftwich

After a long period of failing health, Bernice C. Leftwich, 84, of Raleigh, NC died Friday, March 19, 2010 at Rex Healthcare. Bernie was a woman full of love and energy. She impacted everyone she met with this love and energy, and shared it generously with her family, friends and especially her husband and children.

Bernie was born May 31, 1925 to Fred Beach and Elizabeth Raymond Candee, and raised in Easton, CT. She graduated from Bassick High School, Bridgeport, CT and University of Connecticut, with a degree in Home Economics & Chemistry. While attending UCONN she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and continued to be active throughout her life.

After graduation, Bernie became a nationally recognized home economist and traveled extensively for the General Electric Co. During this time she met Wayman “Lefty” Leftwich, also with GE. They married in June 1950. Together, they lived in Atlanta, GA, Louisville, KY, Bloomington, IN, and Raleigh, NC. Along this journey they met lifelong friends, had two children and continued to travel for business and pleasure. Bernie had many passions which included a love for golf, cooking, entertaining, sustaining friendships, and quiet times at Atlantic Beach, NC. Bernie was a member of North Ridge Country Club and North Raleigh United Methodist Church.

Bernie was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, J. Raymond Candee.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Wayman Leftwich; son, Tom Leftwich and wife, Dede of Greenville, SC; daughter, Betsy Landaker and husband, Larry of Wimberley, TX; brothers, Harold “Scotty” Candee and his wife, Shirley of Easton, CT; and Fred Candee, Jr. of Fairfield, CT; grandchildren, Holly Landaker; Olivia Leftwich; Bradley Leftwich; and Walker Leftwich.

A memorial service will be held on March 25, 2010 at 11:00 am at North Raleigh United Methodist Church, 8501 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh, NC 27615. Interment will follow the service in the church columbarium. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Bernice C. Leftwich Scholarship Fund, c/o North Raleigh United Methodist Church.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.BrownWynneEastMillbrook.com.