Bernice Policastro

I watched my mother grow and blossom into a radiant and loving caregiver to all in and around our famly. She was always there to make sure we received a complete and well-rounded education, guiding us on how to be gentle, kind and caring to others. For many years, she would rise religiously at 6:00 a.m. to shuttle us boys to and from altar server service to instill in us a system of self-discipline and values that would serve us well throughout life. My grandmother Elizabeth would help her and cheer us on because she knew all the nuns!

Loved by all who knew her, my mother always looked on the brighter side of life- no matter what happened. She served as a maternal role model to my three (Peter, Kate, Cassandra) children, and delighted in her grandchildren - marveling at their devastating good looks with a wink and her famous smile.

As she grew older, I promised my mother that she would never be without or left wanting for the rest of her life - and it was a joyous commitment to fulfill all these years as she needed a little more assistance. During the latter part of her life, all the people lucky enough to help us look after her would call her BerNICE because she was always so jolly and easygoing; and she never wanted to cause any trouble for those around her. She taught us all by example in making everone feel appreciated and cared for - like family.