Bernice Josephine Hallman
April 17th, 2018
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Bernice passed unexpectedly at Peace Arch Hospital on April 17, 2018, at the age of 85 with family by her side.
Bernice was born in Lacombe Alberta, attended school in Blackfalds and Red Deer, Alberta. Later she went to work in the banking sector in Red Deer. While working there, she met and later married her husband of 62 years, George Hallman. They lived in Blackfalds for several years and in 1952 had a daughter Judith. Later they moved to Edmonton and then onto Calgary. Bernice enjoyed entertaining, curling, bowling, sewing and gardening and went back to work in a bank at Chinook Center in Calgary. In 1965 she left the bank work behind to have her second child Craig and continued to live in Calgary until 1970.
They left Calgary to settle in Oliver, B.C. and finally Kelowna in 1972. While living in the Okanagan, Bernice continued to have wonderful gardens, helped with the family business, cared for her grandchildren and enjoyed having family and friends visit.
In the spring of 2005 they left Kelowna for the B.C. Lower Mainland to be closer to family and settled in White Rock. She continued to garden, play cards, golf as often as she could and loved to make her family favourites, her famous Pee Wee Scout cookies, brownies and cabbage rolls. She always made sure to bake Judy and Craig birthday cakes and sometimes did two so Craig would not have to share his with the rest of the family! Bernice loved to have her family come to her home, and over the years hosted countless dinners at Christmas and other special days.
The last few years found Bernice living with COPD and at that time she joined the YWCA which brought her much friendship and care. She found good friends and strength there and often talked about her sessions with them to the family. Her illness never slowed her down and even just weeks before her passing she was decorating Easter goodies with her great grandson Keaton and assisting a granddaughter after a surgery. She was devoted to her two granddaughters and great grandson and she said they were a great source of happiness to her.
Bernice was predeceased by her parents Bert and Carmen, her husband George, her sister Mary and brother Wilfrid. She is survived by daughter Judy (Melvin), son Craig (Charlene), granddaughter Christina (Arlo), granddaughter Nicole (Sean), great grandson Keaton as well as her younger sister Jeannette (Richard). She will be remembered by many nieces, nephews and friends.
A thank you to niece Joanne (Rudy) Nielsen and Sean Semple for their support to the family over the years. The family would also like to thank Dr. David Anderson for his care and attention to Bernice and to the doctors and nurses of the ER and ICU Wards at Peace Arch Hospital for their care of Bernice.
Donations may be made to The Peace Arch Hospital Foundation or the Heart and Stroke Fund of BC.
The family will celebrate Bernice’s life at a future date.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.
Messages:
My deepest condolences go out to Bernice as she was the nicest person you ever wanted to know. I just sent her a Christmas Card and it came back in the mail a few weeks ago, as i thought maybe Bernice had moved to Judy's house, but after going online i see she is now up in heaven with George her late husband, and my parents as well.
It has been a short time since my mother passed away . Everyday I find myself thinking about her and how much I miss her . Not only was she a great mother, she was one of my best friends. Always there to listen or to lend a hand. We would talk on a daily basis and even now when that time rolls around each day I still find myself looking forward to hear her tell me about her day. Our last road trip together will always be a fond memory..... and I miss being on the golf course with her as well. Mother was the perfect match for my Father and I know how much she missed him after he had passed away a few years ago. I remember growing up in a home with two parents that I loved very much and I am glad that they are together again. Time will not lessen my love for her or make me forget the memories I have. Rest in Peace Mom, you are missed so very much . Love your son, Craig
Bernice was like a mother to our y.group She was very caring.and funny She will be missed
Some of my best memories as a child and adolescent is when I went with my parents to visit my Aunt Bernice and Uncle George in Kelowna. That was our families vacation every year for many years and I loved to be with them and my cousins too! I have very found and wonderful memories which I will cherish for ever. So glad I had the opportunity to see her not long ago, she was a welcoming as always! We will miss both my Aunt Bernice and Uncle George a great deal...Love Callene
It’s been a year, since your passing and I miss you so much. I sure miss our chats, playing golf, our classes at the Y and meeting at Tim’s for coffee. Thanks so much for being an amazing friend to me and Zack while we played golf. Missing you Big Hugs & Big Kisses