Bernice May Bedsworth

On a road trip with her family from Manitoba to Southern California, Bernice met John Roy Bedsworth at the Montebello Ball Room in Montebello, California, and the romance began. After less than 2 months she returned to Canada so the proposal came by telegram and they were married September 22, 1947. They enjoyed 40 years of marriage before Johnny’s death in 1987.

Bernice was a gifted teacher and taught various elementary grades for approximately 40 years before retiring in 1984. After retirement she volunteered with the Laubach Literacy Program, teaching adults to read and with the Lutheran Church’s Braille Bible Program making Bible pages in Braille that were sent worldwide. She was very active in the Science of Mind, Church of Religious Science as well as Retired Teachers Association and the League of Women Voters.

In 2013, Bernice relocated to Tigard, Oregon, to be closer to her daughters. She died on January 19, 2017 in Tigard. Bernice is dearly missed by her daughters, Beverly Genung (Terry), Leslie Tracy (Larry) and son John L. Bedsworth (Sandi), grandchildren Michael Genung, Daniel Genung, Kelley Cathcart (Jeremiah), Jared Tracy (Wanda), Brian Tracy (Jim Muzyn), Sara Bedsworth (Andrew Gillespie), Robin Bedsworth, Justin Whitley, and Tyler Whitley. Bernice’s later years were blessed with 6 great grandchildren: Jack and Lex Cathcart, Riley Gillespie, Cody Bedsworth, and Sawyer and Joanna Tracy. She is survived by her sisters Irene Milne and Genevieve Manikel of Canada and Margaret England of Garden Grove, CA as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family would like to that the care-givers at Woodland Heights Assisted Living Residence for their loving care of Bernice the past year and a half as well as the Signature Hospice Care Team for their kind care the past 7 months.

A Celebration of Life for Bernice will be held July 29, 2017 at the Harmony Center in Whittier, California. Donations can be made to Unity Worldwide Ministries, PO Box 610, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 or Lutheran Braille Workers WC-10, PO Box 5000, Yucaipa, CA 92399.

Arrangements under the direction of Young's Funeral Home, Tigard, OR.