Dear Family,  May the Lord Bless you all, for the years you enjoyed your beloved Mother.  I send my prayers and love to you all.
Sincerely,
Marie Mattia McIvor
Boynton Bch. Fl.

I had the pleasure of listening to Bernice speak at the 2019 Sun n Fun airshow--and I won't ever forget the experience of meeting her. She was one of a kind and a true inspiration not just for me but I'm certain for many other women in aviation. I started pursuing my Private Pilot License just a couple months after I met her. I hope to finally finish it this year. She had a wonderful impact on me that day. Blue Skies, Bernice!

I had the great fortune of speaking with Bee just 19 days before we lost her. I volunteer at an upstate NY air museum as the display and collections manager. I have a display about the WASP, one of whom I knew, and Dawn Seymour, whose 100th Birthday celebration was flown over by our D-Day veteran C-47, W7, and I was aboard. I knew Bee and Dawn knew each other. We had a wonderful chat, and I wrote a story about Bee for our newsletter. I would like to send a copy to you, if someone could reply, or it can be found on our web page, National Warplane Museum. The highlight of my chat with Bee was when I asked her if she had a favorite plane. After a bit of silence, she responded; ' l liked them all'. which is the title of my essay. I was so blessed to speak with her, I shall never forget it. Jamieson R. Steele

Greetings,
My sincere wishes for peace and grace on the passing of Bee.  I had the honor of escorting her through DFW as she was on her way to a WASP reunion.  She so kindly offered me a Finfinella pin which I cherish to this day.  As a Captain for American Airlines, I  would not be here today were it not for the perseverance and sacrifice of women like Bee.
Be very well.  God bless,
Cheryl.

I have many memories from over the years. I was late with her birthday card because I was looking through many photos of WASP reunions hoping to enclose some for her.  I even filmed her and Joe dancing up a storm at the 2000 reunion. When I interviewed her in 2006 in Portland, OR at the WASP reunion, her precious Joe had just passed and she was grieving. Her interview can be seen on Paul Allen's Flying Heritage Collection website under "Chronicles of Courage" and a search for her name.  I got to know Jeff (son-in-law) best because he was her escort to so many gatherings. Bless you all.
Debbie Jennings

We join in mourning the passing of an exceptional American. As a WWII pilot, entrepreneurial aviator, and advocate for women military pilots, Bee inspired many people. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of aviators.  Thank you, Bee. 

- Emily Margolis, Dorothy Cochran, and Caroline Johnson, curators and fellow at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Bee's 100th Birthday fly by/drive by celebration.

Diana and Jeff,  My sincere condolences to you and your family for the loss of your dear mother.  I am so grateful to have known Bee and spend some very precious moments with her.  I just loved Bee's sense of humor and I will always cherish the many amazing stories that she shared with me and so many others.  I would like to thank you for bringing Bee to Pratt & Whitney to give so many employees and veterans the opportunity to meet her.   I am so honored to have celebrated Bee's 99th and 100th Birthday with her!  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  Sincerely, Terrie Riggs

OBITUARY

Bernice S. Haydu

December 15, 1920 – January 30, 2021

Royal Palm Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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