November 30, 1940 – August 15, 2023
In loving memory ~
Beloved Sister, Mother and Grandmother
It is with great sadness that the family of Bernice Claughton announces her peaceful passing on August 15, 2023, in Nanaimo, B.C.
She will be forever remembered by her sons Dale Claughton and Dean (Karen) Claughton; sister Shirley; grandson Tyler Claughton; and granddaughters Hayley (Sean) O’Hanlon and Sage (Chae) Faickney.
Bernice was born in 1940 in Kirkland Lake Ontario. She grew up with her loving family in a mining camp in Bomertown, Ontario, which her mother Alexina and father Alexander worked at. Her older sister Shirley was 5 years older than her and loved her dearly, to the point that they had phone conversations every day. During her early years, she went to school and lived in a cabin, she would love to point out to her grandchildren she “did not have running hot water or any of the amenities that we have today”. After school, she thought about devoting her life to the Catholic church and one day becoming a Nun, but instead, she found love and had two sons which became her life’s greatest accomplishment. She and her family settled in Nanaimo, B.C., in 1968. Once here, she continued her education and found a community becoming a registered care aid at Nanaimo Kawanis village in 1983 and also worked at the Discharge planning Unit in Nanaimo Hospital. Over her time she found refuge in the Aquatic Centre, going regularly with her friends. She also enjoyed reading her favourite novels by Dan Brown and Danielle Steel. She could never skip an episode of her favourite soap opera, The Young and the Restless.
Bernice was known for her kindness, unwavering faith, and being caring towards her family and friends. She was quite the spicy women as well and always liked to have her opinion heard. She also had good humour, but only her close friends and family would catch on to it, which made it feel special and more like an inside joke. She will be greatly missed.
A Memorial service will be held at Sands Funeral Chapel, 1 Newcastle Avenue, Nanaimo, on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at 1:00 p.m.Obituary-