Obituary for Bernice Rudderham
On Monday, September 21, 2020, Bernice Rudderham peacefully slipped into her angel wings and took one last deep breath as she made her way into heaven with family at her side. Her last breath filled the room with comfort, a skill she was most known for. Bernice took great joy in making others welcome, comfortable, and happy. She loved storytelling, telling the odd joke and just being part of gatherings with other people. Her faith in God and Trinity United Church were very important to her, even when she could no longer attend. She will be very much missed.
Bernice was born to Archie and Jenny Chorley May 23, 1924 in Edmonton, Alberta. She spent her formative years in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan which provided material for many of her jokes and stories. Her journey then took her to Moncton, New Brunswick and during the war years met Earl, her husband of almost 60 years. Once married, Earl and Bernice moved to Sydney, Nova Scotia where John (wife Carole Rudderham) and Linda (husband Ford Colyer) were born. Nancy (husband John Ferguson) was the next child born after a move to Sudbury, Ontario, then youngest Judy (Redmond/partner, Brian Everton) in North Bay, Ontario where she and Earl settled for 35 years. Once becoming empty nesters, they moved to Kingston, Ontario and Brampton, Ontario for a few years. Earl passed away in 2000, leaving her with the conundrum of where to go. She chose to spend her last years in Winnipeg, which was closer to the prairies where she grew up and where Judy, (first husband Michael Redmond, passed July 2013) and son, Paul live. Bernice was proud of her Administrative (secretarial) work at both Widdifield and West Ferris High Schools in North Bay, including her love for all the young people. She loved camping, leading Brownies, Girl Guides, and CGIT groups, attending the United Church in all lived locations, playing music in her younger years, playing Scrabble and cards with friends and family, and just filling the room with joy.
Bernice loved her 3 grandchildren very much: Scott, Michael, and Paul. She also embraced their spouses, girlfriends and one great granddaughter, Sara. They were the joy of her life. Her granddaughter-in-law, Laura, holds a special place on her angel wing as Laura faithfully wrote to her every week and always gave her reason to smile. Laura and Mike, Grandma will be watching over you as you travel through your own journey in the next while. Scott and Paul, she will always be in your hearts and looking out for your comings and goings.
Special thanks go out to all of the people in hospitals, assisted living, and personal care homes that looked after her, but especially Bethania, Pembina Place Personal Care staff for their amazing support during the Covid-19 shut down and Bernice’s end of life care. We would also like to thank the Bethania Pastor and the ministers of Trinity United Church for their ongoing spiritual care and guidance.
It was Bernice’s wish not to have a service, but rather to have people remember her for her giving nature. If friends and family so wish, donations in Bernice’s memory can be sent to either the St. Amant Foundation: directed to the Community Residential Program; or Trinity United Church, 933 Summerside Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3T 4Y1; or Bethania Mennonite Memorial Foundation directed to Pembina Place Mennonite Personal Care Home; or the Canadian Cancer Society.
Bernice was born to Archie and Jenny Chorley May 23, 1924 in Edmonton, Alberta. She spent her formative years in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan which provided material for many of her jokes and stories. Her journey then took her to Moncton, New Brunswick and during the war years met Earl, her husband of almost 60 years. Once married, Earl and Bernice moved to Sydney, Nova Scotia where John (wife Carole Rudderham) and Linda (husband Ford Colyer) were born. Nancy (husband John Ferguson) was the next child born after a move to Sudbury, Ontario, then youngest Judy (Redmond/partner, Brian Everton) in North Bay, Ontario where she and Earl settled for 35 years. Once becoming empty nesters, they moved to Kingston, Ontario and Brampton, Ontario for a few years. Earl passed away in 2000, leaving her with the conundrum of where to go. She chose to spend her last years in Winnipeg, which was closer to the prairies where she grew up and where Judy, (first husband Michael Redmond, passed July 2013) and son, Paul live. Bernice was proud of her Administrative (secretarial) work at both Widdifield and West Ferris High Schools in North Bay, including her love for all the young people. She loved camping, leading Brownies, Girl Guides, and CGIT groups, attending the United Church in all lived locations, playing music in her younger years, playing Scrabble and cards with friends and family, and just filling the room with joy.
Bernice loved her 3 grandchildren very much: Scott, Michael, and Paul. She also embraced their spouses, girlfriends and one great granddaughter, Sara. They were the joy of her life. Her granddaughter-in-law, Laura, holds a special place on her angel wing as Laura faithfully wrote to her every week and always gave her reason to smile. Laura and Mike, Grandma will be watching over you as you travel through your own journey in the next while. Scott and Paul, she will always be in your hearts and looking out for your comings and goings.
Special thanks go out to all of the people in hospitals, assisted living, and personal care homes that looked after her, but especially Bethania, Pembina Place Personal Care staff for their amazing support during the Covid-19 shut down and Bernice’s end of life care. We would also like to thank the Bethania Pastor and the ministers of Trinity United Church for their ongoing spiritual care and guidance.
It was Bernice’s wish not to have a service, but rather to have people remember her for her giving nature. If friends and family so wish, donations in Bernice’s memory can be sent to either the St. Amant Foundation: directed to the Community Residential Program; or Trinity United Church, 933 Summerside Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3T 4Y1; or Bethania Mennonite Memorial Foundation directed to Pembina Place Mennonite Personal Care Home; or the Canadian Cancer Society.