Bernice Thompson

It is with heavy, but grateful hearts that we announce the passing of our mother, gramma and great gramma. Bernice passed away peacefully at Pinecrest Home for the Aged on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.

Mom was a lifelong resident of Kenora, living the majority of her years in Jaffray-Melick on the Redditt Road. She was the second eldest daughter of Elvira (nee Stevenson) and Clifford Alcock. She was a proud, caring, thoughtful and hard-working individual. Her independence and strength were evident when her husband of 41 years, Leonard, passed away just over 30 years ago. For 4 years after his passing, she continued to live in and maintain the family home and property that she and dad built together. At that time, she became a resident of Southward Villa in Lakeside.

Mom enjoyed a large variety of activities: baking, trying new recipes, keeping track of the weather channel statistics, gardening, preserving, blueberry picking, playing crib and scrabble, shopping, reading, golfing, bowling, going to the casino, listening to music (Charlie Pride was her favourite), and doing jigsaw and word puzzles. She loved her family dearly especially her grandchildren and she was just starting to watch her great-grandchildren grow. One of her favourite memories recently was having Mason and Dawson visit her at Pinecrest and having them run around and play while having a picnic on the front lawn.

In her early years, mom worked hard on her family’s farm, helping with everything from splitting wood, cooking, and gardening. After various housekeeping jobs at some tourist camps, she eventually took a job at Safeway but became a stay-at-home mom once her children arrived. She was a dedicated and loving wife and mother. Once her girls were in university, she took on the role of office manager at Dad’s Petro-Canada office.

Mom was always involved in something. She would often organize showers for many of the young nieces that married into our extended family and always lent a hand at family get-togethers. She was quick to set another plate when someone showed up at our home at dinner time. We had a great family home with people dropping in all the time. Both mom and dad and their warmth were the reason for that.

Mom encountered many tests throughout her life. These included completely losing her sight in 2010 and never fully regaining it. Although it meant giving up her independence, she wouldn’t hear of keeping her driving license. She wouldn’t have been able to bear it if she had ever harmed someone. In early 2021, she fell in her apartment and never fully recovered. It was then that her dementia became evident. Most recently, in July of this year, she fell and broke her hip and although it was repaired to reduce the pain she was in, it was the beginning of the end. The staff in Thunder Bay were so kind and helpful during that time.

While we mourn her loss, we are thankful for the long time we had with mom. She had the honour of living to the age of 95 years, longer than anyone else so far in her family. She was predeceased by her husband, Leonard, her parents, all her brothers: Eddie, Bert, Jim, Kippy, Alfred and Allen, her sister, Betty, sisters-in-law Jackie, Eunice, Della, brothers-in-law Harold, Norm and Phil and nephews Garry and Mark. So many of mom’s good friends have also preceded her on this journey and it is nice to know she will see them all again now.

Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Cheryl and Jan (John), two grandchildren, Erin (Giuseppe) and Jeremy and two great-grandchildren, Mason and Dawson. She is also survived by two sisters, Margaret and Joyce, three sisters-in-law, Bev, Kathy, and Bev and numerous nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to Barb Alcock and Dave Havill who have always been there for mom throughout the years. Thank you to all the staff at Pinecrest, especially Mike Limerick (NP) and all the staff from Unit 1. We are grateful for all you did to make mom’s last days as dignified and as comfortable as possible.

A Celebration of Life will be held on November 3, 2023 at 11:00am at Pinecrest Home for the Aged with Pastor Cathy Giroux officiating.

In lieu of flowers, Mom would ask that you phone a friend or loved one who might be feeling lonely. If friends so desire, donations can also be made to the Alzheimer Society Kenora/Rainy River Districts, P.O. Box 837, Kenora, ON P9N 4B5 or online at https://alzheimer.ca/krr/ or to Pinecrest Home Activation, 1220 Valley Drive, Kenora, ON P9N 2W7.

As mom leaves this world and has now joined her loving husband, it brings us great comfort to know that Mom and Dad are finally back together again. Mom has missed Dad every single day since he’s been gone. Say hi to Daddy for us Mom. We love you both very much.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com for the Thompson family.