With her children by her side, Bernice Geraldine Stevenato (nee Brinen) passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at the age of 94.
Bernice will be lovingly remembered by her sons Robert (Cindy) and Paul (Lyndsey); daughters Lisa (Richard) and Carol; grandchildren Brianna (Michael), Daneen (Amy), Jasmine (Stephen), Megan (Jonathan) and Jenna and her 4 (soon to be five) great-grandchildren. She will also be missed by the many other friends and family members whose lives she touched.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 28 years, Robert (Bruno) Stevenato; brothers Bernard, Grenville and Walter, and half-siblings Wallace and Pauline; and her parents James Alexander and Lucinda May (nee Good) Brinen.
Bernice was born in a log cabin without electricity or running water on a South River, Ontario farm in 1929 fighting to survive. That formidable spirit served her well throughout her life as she faced many challenges including returning to the workforce and raising a family on her own after her husband’s death. She was a profoundly selfless person who positively impacted people in so many ways, but nothing was more important to her than her family. She loved them deeply and was loved deeply in return. Fiercely independent, Bernice lived life on her terms until the end.
At Bernice’s request, there will not be a funeral service. A private burial will occur at Holy Cross Cemetery. We encourage family & friends to share memories of Bernice by emailing [email protected]
Instead of flowers, donations may be made in Bernice’s name to The Sisterhood of St. John the Divine, 233 Cummer Ave. Toronto, ON, M2M 2E8, https://ssjd.ca/support-us/donate/ or to Hospice Simcoe, 336 Penetanguishene Road
Barrie, Ontario, L4M 7C2 https://hospicesimcoe.ca/ways-to-donate/.
The family wishes to express special gratitude to the staff and volunteers of Hospice Simcoe and Dr. Cindi Cohen, whose love and caring for Bernice and her family was truly a gift
Messages of condolence may be forwarded to the family through adamsfuneralhome.ca