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In loving memory of a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many.
Bernice was predeceased by her husband, Walter (Dec 15, 2020); father and mother, Pio and Lucia; brothers, Tony, Joe, John, and Quinto; and daughter-in-law, Cheryl.
She leaves to mourn, her daughters, Marlene Marvin (Duane) and Valerie Christiansen (Ed); sons, Wally Sams (Maria), Gale Sams (Roberta), John Sams, and Glen Sams/Kokoski (Judy); beloved outlaw, Thelma Howse; and stepchildren, Gerry, Carolyn, and David.
Bernice also leaves behind her grandchildren: Tammy, Kelly, Kristie, Kody (Kat), Jesse, Jenna (Steven), Dusten (Kaity), Quinto (Tonya), Devin (Sarah), Alyssa (Sergio), Stacy (Cody), and Tiffany; 10 great-grandchildren: Bailey, Kinley, Meka, Peyton, Seth, Rider, Ozzy, Olive, Johnathan, and Jayda.
Bernice was born and raised in Venice, Alberta. Her parents, Pio and Lucia, immigrated from Toffia, Italy, just before the First World War. Her family’s experiences of homesteading in the wilderness of Northern Alberta were filled with many hardships, as early settlers of a cold barren land can attest to. Her brother, Tony, boarded at the Lac La Biche Mission before Joe, John, Quinto, and Bernice could attend a new school built in Venice around 1928. The stories she told us were of the closeness of family, playing music, and the hard work that was needed to survive. The deep love for her Mom and Dad never left her heart and mind even after 95 years. Her father and mother retired from the farm and moved to Edmonton in late 1947. Bernice also moved with them, where she found employment at the Royal George Hotel and other restaurants as a waitress. Later she worked with the RCMP as a matron looking after the inmates at night. She also worked as a housekeeper for several families in Edmonton. She met Walter Sams, the love of her life, in Edmonton and they started a family. They lived in Beverly for many years while Walter worked in Northern Alberta and the Territories. They moved to Gibbons and lived there for 20 years, followed by the Ashmont area acreage affectionately known as “Muddy Acres”. This is where the empty nesters developed a love of the land and the many, many animals. Bernice loved to have family and visitors where she put all her energy in large feasts, especially the gnocchi dinners.
There will be a viewing at 10:00 a.m. for any who wish to attend, and a Celebration of Life will be held at Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home, 10011-114 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5K 1R5 on Friday, November 11, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.
The interment will take place two days later at 1:00 p.m. on November 13, 2022, at Lac. St. Anne Mission Cemetery, Lac Ste. Anne County, AB T0E 0A0.
To view the service or send condolences, please visit www.connelly-mckinley.com.
Listen to John Denver’s “Take me Home Country Roads”
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to the Arthritis Society of Canada, The Heart Foundation and Pacemaker Clinic.
To the world you are a mom,
But to our family you are the world.
Rest in Peace NAMBO, We All Love You!!
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Bernice Valentine Sams Bonifacio “Nambo 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Edmonton, Province: Alberta