With her family nearby, Bernice Lill passed away peacefully at home after a courageous seven year battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Bernice grew up in Kincardine ON, eldest of five sisters, Irene Priest (Keith, Susan, David), Joan Haskett (Tom, Cheryl, Tracy, Michael), Lois McKnight (Harold, Allan, Julie) and June Bradley (Bill, Darrin, Sean, Colin). After graduating in 1961 from Victoria Hospital Nursing School in London Ontario, she moved to BC, eventually becoming the Head Nurse on the EENT Ward at St. Paul’s Hospital.
She met the love of her life Alan Lill at St. Andrews Wesley United Church and they were wed there on November 29, 1969. They moved to North Vancouver in September 1971 and became very active members of Highlands United Church. Bernice was involved in Congregational Life, Healing Hands, Local Connections and the Kitchen Table women’s group.
Son Kevin (Brenda Maloney) and daughter Heather Melendez (Carlos, Valentina, Lucia) arrived before a move to their present home on Cortez Road in April 1980.
Bernice was a devoted mother and grandmother with many life-long friends from nursing, her church, Oregon Coast weekends, sailing and their travels. She loved to be with her large extended family in Ontario and Al’s late sister Pat Dyer (Bill and Wendie Reinhardt) her niece Leah Symons (Sean, Hannah, Ben) and his cousin Suzanne Reno (Matt, Taylor, Quinn).
Bernice and Al’s granddaughters Valentina and Lucia Melendez (born in 2015 and 2017) really helped to keep up their spirits as Bernice’s condition worsened. They have been accompanied on this journey by family and close friends, Highlands United, a wonderful caring circle and community home care from VCH and Living Well, for which they will be eternally grateful.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Highlands United Church Local Connections. An on-line memorial service will be held Sunday September 24th at 1.30 pm Pacific / 4.30 pm Eastern via www.highlandsunited.org (You Tube channel), which will remain on the website for at least a month.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Bernice Lill Saturday January 9th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Vancouver, Province: Colombie britanique