Janice Ellen McKimmie Bernard, age 61, of Upper Arlington passed away peacefully in her home on Monday April 18, 2011. She was born on May 11, 1949 in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of the late John and Rose McKimmie. Janice graduated in 1967 from James Ford Rhodes High School in Cleveland, Ohio. Janice later became the first member of her family to attend college and enrolled at Smith College of Northampton, Massachusetts on a full scholarship, graduating in 1971with a B.A. in Economics, cum laude. She went on to earn her J.D., cum laude, from the Ohio State University College of Law in 1974, where she also met her husband, Michael Eugene Bernard. Janice later became an Associate Professor at the Pettit College of Law of Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio while residing in Kenton, Ohio. In 1981, Janice started as an associate at the law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey in Columbus, Ohio, where she would later become an accomplished trial attorney and partner in the litigation group. She retired in 2002. Janice was a successful professional but a dedicated, loving mother first, raising two sons, John and Michael, to whom she devoted her life. An incredibly determined and strong woman, Janice showed steadfast resilience in her successful battle with colon cancer, which she defeated in 1997. Her passions included reading, gardening, and cooking. She spent her later years enjoying the company of her cousins in Cleveland and neighbors on Charing Rd., taking trips with her college roommates, traveling the country to visit her sons and helping to plan their upcoming weddings. She is survived by her sons, John (fiancée Shannon Mullen) and Michael (fiancée Sara Burnett); brother Eric; sister-in-law, Ginny Cook; cousins, Maureen Schiau, Kathy Siverston, and Janeen Kramer and many close friends. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her former husband, Michael, son, Gabriel, and brothers, Dale and Alan. Family will receive friends Saturday, April 23, 2011 from 4 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 6 p.m. at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Rd., Columbus. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004. To view Janice’s video tribute, visit www.schoedinger.com.
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