OBITUARY
Vera Bernice Herthington
September 30, 1926 – November 25, 2018
Play Tribute Movie
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our unique, one of a kind mother, Bernice Hetherington on November 25th, 2018. She was smart, artistic, creative and humorous.
She is survived by her children; Clare (Basil), Chris (deceased), Shelley (Mike), Sean, and Charles (Cindy); her grandchildren, Michael, Lysiane, Ashley, Jenny, Alexa, Conner, Dillon, and Miranda, and her great grandchildren, Benjamin, John, Cooper, Mia, and Ellie.
Vera Bernice Hetherington was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba September 30th, 1926. She spent her childhood in the nearby rural town of Snowflake until the Great Depression forced her family to abandon farming and relocate in Port Moody, BC in 1936. She met and married Ron Hetherington and together they had four children. They were subsequently divorced in 1968. Bernice resided in West Vancouver for 44 years. Her last three years were among the most creative of her life. She produced a prolific number of ‘endeavours’ as she called them which are collages composed of pastels and ink. They offer a style and expression that was ever-evolving. She was driven to continue creating and expressing herself in this unique and original form. The death of her son, Chris, was the most difficult period of her life and creating her ‘endeavours’ helped with the healing process.
Recently, Bernice’s art was accepted by the Art Vancouver International Art Fair to be held at the Vancouver Convention Center from April 25th-28th, 2019. She was thrilled to be accepted by such a prestigious art show but unfortunately, she will be there in spirit only. At 92 years of age, this is very exciting for Bernice’s legacy.
Our favourite memories of Bernice are the many summers spent at Long Beach and Hornby Island. We ate delicious dinners by the sea: clams, salmon, crab, and fiddle heads all served on beautiful nasturtium garnished wood planks. Our house growing up was filled with great music, food, plants, art, and a vegetable garden with mom’s prize artichokes. Bernice was the “Queen of Dundarave” and she spent many hours on the West Vancouver sea wall dressed in hats, jewelry, and matching scarfs.
We would like to thank the doctors, nurses, care aids, and the entire staff at West Vancouver Care Centre for the wonderful and amazing care they took of Bernice during the 16 years she lived there.
In the final week of her life, Bernice was surrounded by three of her children holding her hands, sharing memories, and listening to Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Gordon Lightfoot. We will really miss our mother, Bernice.
Instead of a service, please attend Bernice’s art show in April. (www.artvancouver.net) Also check out Bernice’s website at www.endeavoursbybernice.com.
Grief never ends…But it changes,
It’s a passage, not a place to stay.
Grief is not a sign of weakness,
Nor a lack of faith….
It is the price of LOVE
Author Unknown
Show Your Support
Share Obituary
share to facebook
share by email
share link
Receive Notifications
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Vera Bernice Herthington 2018..
Death notice for the town of: west-vancouver, Province: Colombie britanique