June 12, 1923 - December 8, 2019
Bernice was born in Fort William Ontario and grew up in several small North Ontario communities. In 1940 she went to work riveting tail sections for Hawker Hurricane fighters. In 1942 she joined the RCAF and served until 1945. After business college she moved to Victoria where she met RCN veteran Bert Collins. They were married November 23, 1946. Son Robert was born in 1948 and son Bruce in 1958. Bert passed suddenly in August 1959. In 1963 Bernice found work at the Alpulp Division of MacMillan Bloedel in Port Alberni where she remained until retirement in 1988. After a 12-year retirement on Hornby Island Bernice returned to the Alberni Valley.
Bernice was the last of her generation: pre-deceased by her parents Harold Clark and Anna Mae (Rowswell) Clark, husband Bert Collins, grandson Jamie Collins, sisters Eileen, Helen, Elsie, and Jean, brother Lloyd, and all her in-laws. She is survived by sons Bob (Ann), and Bruce (Lynne), grandchildren, Don Collins (Steph), Laura Olsen (Ivan), Jenna Naesgaard (Chris), and James Flory. Great grand-children, Jack Collins, Evelyn and Thea Olsen, Lucy and Adeline Naesgaard, and 26 nieces and nephews.
Bernice will be forever remembered for her tireless, loving, and supportive devotion to her family, her loyal and caring friendship, and her wry wit.
Her family would like to thank everyone at Fir Park Village for the kind and compassionate care they have given to Bernice. It has been a true gift.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Bernice's memory to: Fir Park, Echo Village Foundation, 4411 Wallace Street,
Port Alberni BC. V9Y 7Y5