Bernice McDonald
June 12, 1920 – January 19, 2017

Bernice McDonald passed away peacefully on January 19 at the Westman Nursing Home in Virden. Bernice was born June 12, 1920 the second child of John and Minnie Wiggins.
It was an interesting home and time! John and Minnie farmed 3 miles south of Arrow River. Minnie was a school teacher who played the organ at church, taught piano lessons and conducted local musical productions. John loved horses. He raised standard breds and had a half mile grass track north of the barn.
Bernice attended school in Arrow River and finished her education in Miniota. However, Grade 12 was offered in alternate years, so she farmed with her parents for a year, and then completed her high school. Some weekends she walked the 6 miles east from Miniota to Arrow River along the tracks. Bernice was an active member of the community, singing in the Arrow River United Church choir and in local Gilbert and Sullivan productions. Mum, at 12 years of age played on the Decker women’s softball team. Mum once told her children, “When I was young, we played ball all day and danced all night.”
After graduation, Bernice attended Normal School in Brandon, graduating as a teacher in 1940. Teaching first in Alexander, then moving to Sprague in south-eastern Manitoba where Bernice taught and served as principal in a Grade 1-12 school. In 1943, Bernice took a break from teaching and moved to Virden.
Bernice worked at the RCAF Training Base and the Bank of Commerce in Virden. She joined St. Paul’s Church and started a life-long relationship with the community. In March, 1945, Mum met Duncan McDonald at a church youth event. It was soon decided, and they were married on November 5, 1945. They moved onto the farm of William and Elizabeth McDonald, 7 miles southwest of Virden.
Over the years, Bernice sang at hundreds of weddings and community celebrations all over south western Manitoba. She sang with the Brandon Philharmonic Choir, the Kentones, directed the St. Paul’s Church choir for 37 years and started and directed two community choirs, The Naturals and The Village Choir which is still singing today. In the 1980’s, Bernice co-directed the Prairieland Chorus, a 40 voice men’s choir. She was the vocal director for We’ll Meet Again, Broadway the Aud Way and Anne of Green Gables.
Bernice was active in the Virden Music and Arts Festival for many years. Being an active curler, she was granted a Life Membership to the Ladies Curling Club in 1975. Bernice was involved in bringing public access television to Virden and volunteered in adult literacy programs. In 1982, Bernice co-chaired Virden’s Centennial Homecoming and was active on the “Save the Aud” committee. At eighty years old, in 2000 Mum helped compile the Virden Millenium History Book, a book celebrating the families who built Virden and the surrounding community.
Bernice loved her family and her friends. Music, arts, sports, church, travel and her yard were her passions.
Bernice was predeceased by Dunc, sister Lorraine (Ivan), brother Ford (Doreen), brothers-in-law Ewen and Ken (Ethel) and son-in-law Bernard. Left to celebrate her life are her children Brent (Julie), Garnet, Karen (Ron), and Janette; her 8 grandchildren, Mark (Julie), Catherine (Joe), Kyla (Joel), Tess, Leah, Pearce, Will and Luc; her 3 great grand-children Luc, Celeste and Elyse; sister-in-law Ellen and many nieces and nephews.
Bernice lived a blessed life. Small wonder that her swan song is It is Well with My Soul.
A celebration of Bernice’s life will be held at St. Paul’s United Church in Virden at 3 pm on Saturday, April 22, 2017.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to St. Paul’s United Church, Palliative Care at Westman Nursing Home or Virden Music and Arts Festival.
SERVICES
Memorial Service
Saturday, April 22, 2017
3:00 PM
St. Paul’s United Church
286 Nelson Street West
Virden, Manitoba R0M 2C0

Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Bernice McDonald – June 12, 1920 – January 19, 2017.source

avis deces Bernice McDonald – June 12, 1920 – January 19, 2017- avis mortuaire Bernice McDonald – June 12, 1920 – January 19, 2017