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Bernice Morris
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bernice (87), our beloved mother/grandmother/aunt/friend on August 9, 2018. She died peacefully, at sunrise, with her eldest daughter Mary Ann praying beside her, in her room at Mountain Lake Seniors Residential Care Community in Nelson, BC.
Born in Thunder Bay, Ontario to Mary (Jacovac) and Joseph (Kauzlaric), she was the youngest of three children. She graduated from Port Arthur Tech High School and Kings Business College and was subsequently employed in Eatons Advertising Office and with the City of Port Arthur.
On June 16, 1956, Bernice married Lawrence Morris and relocated to Chapleau, Ontario, where they lived for 19 years and raised three daughters. Bernice was a wonderful home-maker and excelled at cooking and baking; indeed, she was known at church for her apple pies. Well before her time, Bernice was committed to reducing, re-using, recycling, and repurposing all matter of goods; she loved hosting and attending yard sales and was greatly appreciated for her uncanny ability to make things beautiful independent of the actual cost of the item.
In 1974, Bernice and her family moved back to her beloved Thunder Bay where she obtained her driver’s license and worked at Sears part-time for next 15 years. She was popular with staff and customers alike due to her outgoing personality and helpful manner. Her exceptional marketing skills earned her a strong reputation in sales garnering her numerous merit awards, letters of commendation, and employee-of-the-month recognition certificates. Indeed, earlier in her career, she hosted numerous parties selling Tupperware and copper craft!
Bernice was a dedicated member of St. Dominic’s Roman Catholic Church where she served for many years on the choir. She loved music and was a member of the singing seniors’ group as well as an avid ballroom dancer. As a child, she earned her grade 3 certificate in piano with the Toronto Conservatory of Music.
During the last three years of her life, Bernice moved to British Columbia (initially Kelowna, followed by Nelson) to be closer to her remaining family. She was part of the church congregations in both communities and participated enthusiastically in the recreational programs of the Assisted Living homes where she resided.
Bernice is survived by her three daughters: Mary Ann (Randy Janzen) of Nelson, BC; Susan of Vancouver, BC; and, Janice (Doug Read) of Kelowna, BC. She is survived, as well, by four grandchildren: Owen Read, Jill Read, Sol Morris-Janzen and Dunavan Morris-Janzen; her niece Laura Kauzlaric of Thunder Bay, Ont., and nephews David Marcon (Terry) of Thunder Bay and Edward Marcon (Jody) of St. Catherines, Ont.
Bernice was predeceased by her loving husband Lawrence, dear friend Fred Lieberwirth, parents, sister Mary (Leno Marcon), and brother Frank (Laura), all of Thunder Bay, Ontario.
We will say goodbye to our dear Bernice next summer through a celebration of life at St. Dominic’s Roman Catholic church with interment at St. Andrew’s Cemetery … but she will not be forgotten. She made an impression wherever she went for her sense of humour, ready smile, candour, and kindness. She is forever in our hearts.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Morris Bernice Date of Death:
August 9 2018..
Décès pour la Ville: Nelson, Province: Colombie britanique
