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Bernice "Elsie" Bonin (nee Kynaston)

March 28, 2019

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October 23, 1927 - March 28, 2019
Bernice died in Nanaimo on 28 March 2019. Born on 23 October 1927 in Unity, SK, she was predeceased by her husband Stephen "Steve" in 2005 and her sister Margaret (Dave Snider) in 2016. She is survived by her four children: Louise (Al Trent), Denise (Mike Hawkes), Jim (Leanna) and Tom (Nancy), her two brothers, Dennis (Bev) and Leslie (Joan) Kynaston and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She loved to garden and during most of her life that is where she could be found. Bernice always said she had a wonderful life. In 1933 she moved with her family from Saskatchewan to Langford, BC and shortly after that they relocated to Sayward on northern Vancouver Island. In this remote location employment was hard to find for Bertram (Bernie), her father, but they ate well and enjoyed many adventures. Encouraged by her father, she attended UBC and graduated with a BSc in Agriculture (1950). While at UBC she met Steve and they were married in Vancouver on 29 December 1952.
Steve's employment took them to Edmonton, Richmond, Prince George, Saskatoon, and eventually to Beaverlodge, AB, where Bernice actively participated in many organizations: Girl Guide Brownies (Brown Owl), the curling club, the golf club, various swimming pool committees, and her children's schools. She was a wonderful cook and supplied many a fundraiser with her baking. When Steve retired in 1986, she was greatly relieved to return to the west coast to enjoy a much longer plant growing season! Settling in Courtenay on a 2.5-acre piece of land, they landscaped and cultivated an acre of land surrounding their house, growing ornamentals and enough fruits and vegetables to feed family, friends, and neighbours.
Following Steve's passing, Bernice moved to Nanaimo in 2009 and enjoyed life at Berwick on the Lake, making many friends, and playing many games of crib. The staff there were like family and lovingly cared for her until the end.
A celebration of life will take place at a later date, with eventual interment in the Courtenay Cemetery.


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