Berniece MITCHELL

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MITCHELL: Berniece Mitchell, Dec. 10 , 1921 – Mar. 2 , 2011. Peacefully, surrounded by her family, Berniece passed away on Wednesday , March 2, 2011 at the Virden Hospital. Berniece was the third child born to the late James and Mary Carradice. She was born at Kirkella, Manitoba on Sec. 16-12-29 W and was raised on the family farm in the Mossgiel district with her six siblings. She attended Mossgiel School for her education. Berniece was predeceased by her parents James and Mary Carradice, her husband Bill , her sisters Jean and Helen and her brothers –in –law John Canart, Bruce Franklin and Albert Hyde. Berniece is survived by her children Beth (Bob) McDowell, Wayne (Sharon) Mitchell, Debbie (Bob) Labossiere and Garth (Kim) Mitchell, her nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Mary Canart, Ina (Dave) Hartley , Irene Hyde and her brother Bob (Moira) Carradice and numerous nieces and nephews and special friend Karen Vargo and daughter Amy. Berniece met her husband Bill in 1941 and they were married in 1942. Together they lived and worked side by side farming in the Elkhorn district before settling on the family farm at 33-11-29 W. There were few convienences but there was pride in building a new home and a good life on the farm. Family visits and gatherings were very important along with the Sunday trip to Elkhorn for church. Berniece and Bill raised four children – Beth, Wayne, Debbie and Garth. Berniece was blessed with nine grandchildren – Todd (Liz) Mcdowell, Jaime (Mark) Hatchette, Barrett (Janice), Shaun, Derek Labossiere – Hollie Mitchell – Tyler (Shawnda), Whitney (Gord) and Jordan Mitchell along with two great grandchildren – Abbie and Jack Hatchette. Berniece was a strong volunteer and community supporter all her life and was a member of the Kirkella I.O.D.E. and the Mossgiel Guild. She enjoyed the farm life but the family was forced to move to Elkhorn due to Bill’s poor health in 1969. She was a quiet living woman who was dedicated to her home and family. As a loving mother and grandmother she took great pride and pleasure in the activities of her children and grandchildren. She was very proud of each and every one of them. Berniece was a hard worker and a very determined lady who did not back down from challenges. Whether it was the sudden and early passing of her husband Bill in 1975 or the numerous medical issues the last 20 years of her life - Berniece battled on without a grumble – a truly amazing lady. Berniece loved gardening, bingo and knitting but her true passions were playing cards with her family and sports. She was a life long Montreal Canadiens fan who was passionate about the team. A Montreal Expo fan who then had to substitute with the Toronto Blue Jays after the Expos were not around , and lifelong Winnipeg Blue Bomber fan as well. She immediately became a fan of whatever team her family members were playing for . A truly loyal fan. A common night for Berniece would be the Montreal Canadiens game muted on the French channel on TV with the radio broadcast of the Wheat King game at her side. There is no doubt that Berniece was a unique woman – a lot of different things to a lot of different people.She was a farmer’s wife, mother, sister ,aunt, grandmother, great grandmother and a friend. She had a big heart and was a very kind, generous and loving woman. The funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. at the Elkhorn United Church on Monday March 7 ,2011 officiated by Marianne Olfrey. The Eulogy was given by two of her grandsons – Todd McDowell and Tyler Mitchell. All in attendance were considered honorary pallbearers. Interment followed at the Elkhorn Cemetary and a time of fellowship at the Elkhorn Legion Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to – The Elkhorn Cemetery Association or the Elkhorn United Church. Our sincerest thanks to all our family, neighbors and friends for your visits, messages of sympathy, cards, phone calls, food, flowers and support following the loss of our mother and grandmother. We want to thank Marianne Olfrey for performing the memorial service and Rev. Joe Ball for his spiritual care at the Brandon ICU ward – it was a great comfort to Mom and the family. We also wish to thank the church choir, ushers and organist as well as the Elkhorn Legion Ladies for preparing the luncheon. The family expresses their gratitude to Dr. Fitzgerald, Dr. Dhalla and Dr. Penner, along with all the nurses at the Brandon Hospital, ICU Ward and the Virden Hospital for their care and compassion Berniece’s final days. Special thanks to the staff at Carscadden’s Funeral Home for your care, professionalism and respect for our loved one in easing the heartache of our loss. We thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts. God bless you all.Beth, Wayne, Debbie and Garth, and families.

As published in Brandon Sun on Mar 26, 2011