April 1, 1934 - April 28, 2024
In Loving Memory ~
Bernice E. Hathaway was born in Calgary AB to Walter and Eleanor Stoddart. In 1940, they moved permanently to Windermere where her parents developed a summer "camp" on the shores of Lake Windermere (today's Terra Vista).
Her father had spent earlier years in the valley arriving as a teen from Ohio to live with his Aunt and Uncle, James and Rose Stoddart, proprietors of the Windermere Hotel and then for 16 years he was a co-owner (with C.D. Ellis) of the Ellenvale Ranch (today's K2).
Bernice graduated from Athalmer Invermere High School in 1950 at age 16. She received further education at McKim High School in Kimberley (Grade 13) and Calgary.
In 1955 Bernice married a young Texan working in Calgary, Charles Hathaway. They spent almost 60 years of marriage together, living in Los Angeles, Midland, and Houston Texas as well as Denver Colorado following oil company transfers. They always returned to "the Valley" each summer to visit Bernice's relatives.
In retirement, they moved to Invermere BC in 1987 for ten years. During this time, Bernice worked for the Valley Echo newspaper and was the area's first Welcome Wagon hostess as well as actively volunteering with the Canadian Cancer Society. They moved to Vancouver Island in 1997 where she remained until her death.
Bernice is survived by her sons, James of Vancouver/San Francisco, and Mark, with daughter-in-law Maritza and granddaughter Jamila, of Toronto, ON, along with several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, her only sibling, Margaret Shymko and by her husband Charles.
For over 30 years she has claimed Shawn (Hayhurst) Ingham of Saanichton BC (and formerly of Canal Flats BC) as the "daughter she would have wished for."
There will be no funeral, but her ashes will be taken back to her beloved Valley.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to Windermere Valley Shared Ministry for "St. Peter's fund".