Obituary of Bernice Essery

ESSERY: With heavy hearts, we announce the sudden passing of Bernice Essery on June 3, 2021 at Brandon Regional Health Centre at the age of 96 years. Bernice was born in Foam Lake, SK on February 3, 1925 to Robert and Ida Keyser, the youngest sibling to 3 older brothers. She grew up in Strasbourg, SK and where she completed her schooling. She completed Nursing School in Regina in 1947 and worked for several years nursing in Saskatchewan and briefly in British Columbia. In 1949, she married Don Essery and they settled in Duval, SK where they raised their two children, Rob, and Leigh, while Don worked in the Essery family store. In 1961, they moved to Brandon, where Don worked as a salesman for Knowlton’s Shoe Store and later for Yaeger’s Furs. Retirement in 1988 resulted in a move back to Duval where she and Don enjoyed many happy years surrounded by friends and family. They loved their trips to Last Mountain Lake in the summers, travelling to Manitoba and Alberta to visit family, and trips to Texas during the winter months.  Bernice moved to Brandon in October 2005 to Odd Fellows Corner to be closer to family. She was 80 years old when she moved, and took the move in her stride, adjusting to the many differences in the city, and also to living in an apartment block. She was an active participant in activities in the building - from Card Bingo to Bocce chair bowling, to Birthday Teas and monthly catered meals from the Crystal Hotel. She did her own weekly grocery shopping at Safeway via a shuttle bus, and continued this practice until April 2020 when Covid restrictions made it unsafe. Fiercely independent, she did not like asking for help. She was an avid walker, which she did on a daily basis right up until the last.  Bernice was predeceased by husband Don in 1998, her parents; mother-in-law Eva Essery, father-in-law Mervyn Essery; brothers Albert ,Lloyd, and Russell Keyser; sisters-in law Teeny, Eileen, and Evelyn Keyser, Mabel Essery; brother-in law Allan Essery; nephews Charlie Keyser, Bob Keyser, Ron Essery; niece Brenda Brigden; daughter Leigh Carnahan (2020). Bernice leaves to cherish her memory: her son Rob Essery and daughter-in-law Sharon Moore; grandchildren Lauren Essery, Alex Essery and wife Elizabeth Clark of Brandon; her son-in-law Neil Carnahan, granddaughter Courtney Workman (Bud); great-granddaughters Harley and Piper Workman of Blackfalds, AB and grandson Dylan Carnahan and wife Linda Trieu of Calgary, AB. She was our Mom, Mother-in-law, Gramma, Nana, and Auntie Bernice, and we are all going to miss her so much. Thank you for 96 wonderful years! Due to the current restrictions of Covid 19, there will be no formal service. Cremation has taken place, and at some time in the future interment will be in the family plot in Duval, SK. In lieu of a formal celebration of life service, her family plans to get together for Chinese Food to remember and celebrate a life well lived. Bernice loved her Chinese food! Donations in Bernice's memory may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, 1379 Kenaston Blvd., Winnipeg, MB, R3P 2T5 or to a charity of one's choice.