LUCY BERNICE ARBUCKLE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

LUCY BERNICE ARBUCKLE Peacefully, on Saturday March 7, 2009, with family by her side, Lucy Bernice Arbuckle passed away at the Souris Personal Care Home. Bernice is survived by her loving husband Bob and their children: Forbes (Lorraine), Brett (Jessica), Jesse, Erin; Donna; Grant (Rosanne) Spencer, Madeleine; Dianne (Mike), Adam, Danielle; Neil (Corie) Dane, Jameson, Braden. In the later stages of her life Mom suffered from Alzheimer's and while it took away her ability to communicate she lived on in our memories of the many happy times together. The Bernice we remember was full of life. She was Bernice, our Mom, wife, grandmother and friend and we loved her. Born on May 6, 1925 on the family farm near Birnie Manitoba, she was the eldest child of Lewis and Marie Scott. Bernice attended local school and helped with the farm work. With the outbreak of the Second World War she found herself in Hamilton working in a munitions factory. After the war she returned to the Neepawa area where she was employed by the Manitoba Telephone System. It was there that she and future husband Bob began their life together. When they married in June of 1951, Bob was employed by the Manitoba Provincial Government as a Municipal Assessor. His work required them to reside all over the province and so for the first few years together, during the summer months, they shared the luxurious confines of a 12 foot house trailer. This also housed a growing family which by the spring of 1956 consisted of Forbes, Donna and Grant. In the summer of that same year Bob was maintaining assessments in South West Manitoba and the family trailer was relocated to Killarney. It was here that their first permanent home was built. Two more children, Dianne and Neil arrived on the scene and the family was complete. Add in family pets and it was indeed and busy and happy environment. Mom devoted herself to the care and nurturing of her family and life seemed ideal for us, her children, as she organized birthday parties, helped with homework and maintained a home that was full of love. Summers were spent either down at the beach or boating on the lake. The school year and winters were full of kids sporting events with the local arena a second home. Mom always made the very first day of Grade 1 for each child a very special event. She had elegant penmanship and would loving write each child's name on the items required in the school list. Bob was there to film the event as Bernice took our little hand and we each entered the halls of greater learning. In the summer of 1963 Bob announced to the family that a regional Municipal Office was to be established in Souris and so with Bernice and five kids in tow we set off on another great adventure. Housing was limited in Souris and so the decision was made to purchase and renovate the Dolmage place. The renovation stretched on and those that knew Bernice always wondered how she managed. It was during this time that Mom got the entrepreneur bug and opened a fabric store in Souris, Bernice's Fashion Fabrics. Between buying trips to Winnipeg, maintaining a household and supporting Bob in his career Mom was always on the go. From a child's perspective it was a wonderful environment and we wouldn't have changed a thing. One of Mom's greatest pleasures was her home and she loved to attend to the gardening. It was with a heavy heart then that she had to leave Souris as she and Bob moved to Winnipeg for the balance of his career. They returned in 1988 after Bob's retirement and spent their winters in Texas, summers in Souris often visiting the children or hosting them at the family cottage in Killarney. There were also many trips to various places around the globe and she enjoyed every one of them. With the turn of the century came the first signs of the disease that would ultimately take her away from us. It was difficult to see someone we loved struggle. Dad was committed to Mom and took care of her needs but eventually we all knew it was time for professional care. She entered the Personal Care Home in Souris in 2002. Bob visited every day and she had the attentive care required. A service in celebration of her life was held on Friday, March 13, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. at the St. Paul United Church in Souris Manitoba. Honorary pallbearers were Anne and Allan Davidson of Souris and Jim Tease of Winnipeg. Kowalchuk's Funeral Home, Souris Manitoba were in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 27, 2009