Bernice Pheifer, our Mom and Grandma,
Bernice will be deeply missed by her family: children Gwen Howe, Glen, Janice Fotheringham (George), Henly (Arlene), John (Tracy), and Garen; as well as her dear grandchildren Geoff, Sydny, Evrett, Tamara, Brendon, Wes, Graham, and Austen, and her great grandson, Dalton.
Bernice was born on the Martini family farm North of Beausejour on October 10, 1933, the youngest of 8 children. She loved the farm, and animals, especially her long-held fondness for cows. Mom spent winter evenings at the outdoor skating rink where she met the love of her life, Henry. As a young adult she moved to the city and worked in a grocery store, then an office until she married Henry, her high school sweetheart, in 1952 and started their family.
Mom and Dad both had strong family values and made a perfect match. Mom was a wonderful homemaker for her large family of 6 always cooking, baking, and making sure everyone was cared for. Weekends were spent with a car full of children visiting relatives, gardening at the farms, or at Brereton Lake.
Mom worked part-time at Eaton’s. She enjoyed meeting people and, always found a bargain for one of her grown children. We were always so fortunate to have her think of what we needed. The thoughtfulness and generosity she displayed was a lifelong trait, always looking to lend a hand, always being sure to acknowledge someone’s special occasion or just surprising you with a kind gesture to let you know you are loved.
Mom loved when the family all got together but she made anyone feel immediately welcome in her home even if you just stopped in unannounced. She made time to listen and often convinced you to stay and eat! Her door, like her heart was always open.
Her grandchildren have cherished memories of her quick wit, and her keen interest in their lives. They loved her perogies, holubtsi, and especially her cinnamon buns! Mom, Grandma was always interested in our lives good or otherwise. She was so supportive and always wanted to lessen our burdens.
Mom had a strong catholic faith throughout her life and a quality of sincerity and kindness that resonated to the people around her. She was always fondly remembered by everyone who was fortunate to get to know her. I’d often hear “Oh I know your mom..” then would go on tell you how wonderful she made them feel. She made many close friends in her life. She enjoyed her volunteer work at St. Boniface Hospital until her health declined, missing her time with friends there. Mom & Dad met good friends in their senior years with the Westview Dance Club. She also enjoyed times spent with those at the Lions Day Club.
Mom, Grandma, Nana you will forever live in our hearts and memories. You have touched us with kind and gentle hands by knowing your love. Sharing your life with us was a blessing to us all!
TREASURED MEMORIES OF OUR GRANDMA (NANA)
We remember:
-having tea or Coke and talking with you late into the evening. Always felt welcome to visit at any time and would stop by unexpectedly on many occasions, you were always happy to have a visitor no matter what hour of the day.
-You would always make sure we left your home with something small, if it was a new item of clothing like a t-shirt or a belt, or if it was just a piece of fruit or dessert, and you would wrap it excessively in 2 or 3 layers of bags you kept stored away just for that purpose.
– I remember baking with you when you still lived at the Clifton house. I learned the importance and value of family and just enjoying life!
– Grandma cautioned us to not work so much and make fun and relaxing important too. Evenings and weekends are times to relax and spend time with family and friends
– having sleepovers at your house as a kid and waking up to the sounds of breakfast being made early in the morning.
– Remember you getting Grandpa to take us to the park or to get ice cream (that I don’t really like)
– Every Christmas the grandkids would get something from you and grandpa (Papa) if you didn’t know what to buy us, you would just give us some money. Knew that we were loved!
– We always knew how proud of us you were
– Family was always very important to you and at the top of your mind in conversations we shared
– Taking you for boat rides at the lake with my Dad and uncles..
– Your excitement when you caught a fish or saw a beautiful sunset while on the water.
– We all loved your wonderful cinnamon buns! some were specially made with no raisins.
– We all loved your cooking – you made us cookies and lots of good perogies and also “Papa soup” for one
– You were very witty in adding to our conversations. We loved listening when you talked about things with our parents or told us stories about them
– talking with us about lots of things, always interesting conversations and very sociable. We laughed a lot with you
– Nana loved LOTS of butter on her bread
– giving us HUGE hugs every time we saw you, even though we were so much taller than you
-Always found something to keep yourself busy and avoided complaining about things in life. Always very positive and interested in everything we were doing and a good listener
We will miss you and know that you are now in a better place. Love you forever!
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Bernice Pheifer Friday June 26th 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Oakbank, Province: Manitoba