May 10, 1940 – February 9, 2020

 

Bernice Marie Swallow (née Miller) born 10 May 1940; died 9 Feb 2020.

 

Bernice was the second child and first daughter of parents Leonard and Mary Miller. She was raised in Placentia, a small town in the Avalon Peninsula about 130 kilometers west of St John’s.

 

After completing the requirements for a degree in Nursing, she joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Nursing Sister and was posted to Canadian Forces Base Portage La Prairie in 1964 where she met her future husband who was a flying instructor in the military.

 

Bernice and John were married on 3 July, 1965 and the union was graced with two children: son John in 1966 and daughter Suzanne the following year.

 

Bernice was devoted to her children and to providing a family home as she followed husband John around Canada in a variety of postings – from Manitoba to Alberta to Quebec to Alberta to New Brunswick. Following nearly twenty-five years in New Brunswick, John and Bernice headed west again and settled in Vernon, BC, just north of Kelowna in 2004.

 

Failing health forced Bernice into a Nursing Home for the last six years of her life and in the final hours of her life, there was family in attendance round the clock resulting with her children being with her when she slipped away.

 

Predeceased by her parents and brother James (Carol), she leaves her husband, John; children John and Suzanne; sister Sheila Flynn (Pat), grandchildren Brittany, Scott, and Kaden; niece Melissa Sullivan; nephews Robert, Paul, Perrin, and Patrick; great nieces Amber and Scarlett, and great nephew Parker.

 

Bernice’s ashes will be returned to her hometown later in the year.

 

The Pleasant Valley Funeral Home in Vernon BC were in charge of all arrangements.