Bernice Zella Wallace passed away in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 28th, 2023, after a long and fulfilling life. She was born on August 5th, 1925, in St Paul, Minnesota. She was bright, fiercely independent, passionate and loving. She had a deep commitment to all things educational which she learned from her own mother; and passed on to her own children a love of knowledge, reading and the importance of an education. She was devoted to her parents, husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, right up to the end. She often expressed how lucky she felt to have close relationships with her children and grandchildren. Bernice graduated with a BS cum laude from University of Minnesota in 1946 and fulfilled a dream, going back to earn a Master of Arts in Library Science from the University of Michigan in 1967. She had a long and successful career as a librarian working in various areas and places that she lived, including the Veteran’s Administration in Cincinnati, Ohio, as an elementary school librarian and finally as the Head Librarian in the Chemistry Department of Michigan State University in East Lansing Michigan. Wherever she lived, she was active in her Synagogue and their affiliated Sisterhoods, libraries, and religious schools. In retirement, she moved, along with her husband, to Scottsdale, Arizona where she remained active as a volunteer at the Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and the one closest to her heart, the Mustang Branch of the Scottsdale Public Library. She loved to read books, travel, take nature walks at the Desert Botanical Gardens, play board games, watch classic movies and was an avid bridge player. She cherished her many friends over the years. She had a quick wit and wry sense of humor. In addition, she was an excellent baker and through that effort inspired others. Most of all, she loved to spend time with her husband of 68 years, Lee, before his passing away in 2014, and her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her children Robert (Ellen, dec.), Nancy, Steven (Tina); her grandchildren, Lindsey, Casey (Brooke), Hillary (Michael), Joshua, Matthew; and her great granddaughters, Samantha and Evelyn. For all who knew and loved her, she will be forever missed.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Sunday, February 5th, at Green Acres Mortuary and Cemetery, 401 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85257.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona or the Scottsdale Public Library where Bernice spent many happy times.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greenacresmortuary.net for the Wallace family.
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