Bernice Ustick

1934 - 2021

Bernice Ustick
February 15, 1934 - March 21, 2021
Virginia Beach, Virginia - On March 21, 2021, Rear Admiral Richard C. Ustick lost his wife of 63 years, Bernice Ollar Ustick, the love of his life. Following their sweetheart days in Modesto High School, Bernice pursued her nursing degree at Highland School of Nursing in Oakland, CA. No better RN in the medical milieu ever walked the hospital halls. Always in charge, always knowledgeable, always prepared to handle the crises that occurred; always willing to help. It was often stated by the many doctors with whom Bernie worked, "Nurse Ustick is her on duty. We can leave now; she'll know exactly what to do."
Bernie was the noble and hardworking gypsy of an often-gone Naval Officer, taking care of her three children, Richard Brent, Lori Ann and Charon Leigh, while moving the family from one destination to the next. She was the financial planner, the PTA representative, the onsite doctor and meal planner, the director of all family activities and the constant rock her family greatly depended upon. She was also an amazing leader of the wives in the military community who relied on her steadfast ability to put them at ease, to make them a part of an amazing organization, and to welcome them without hesitation.
More importantly, and maybe a little unknown, she was a great adventurer. She took advantage of all the Navy had to offer her, from sitting with the pilots flying a P3C patrol plane flying over the Caribbean Sea at 25,000 feet enroute to South America, to representing her husband with world country dignitaries, city officials, community leaders and social organizations, to working with the Red Cross in the tropical medical outposts in Panama while concurrently helping to relocate military dependents to safe locations during the crises with Noriega. No challenge was insurmountable, no adventure too small.
After retiring from the Navy, Bernie Ustick and Dick travelled on cruise ships around various continents and danced their way across many ocean seas. Bernie became deeply involved with the medical reserve corps in Virginia Beach, Virginia working with disadvantaged populations that needed her expertise. Prior to her death, she had started plans to aide the Modesto Junior College Nursing program, establishing scholarships, when her health slowed down her endeavors.
Bernice was one of those rare souls who exuded 'presence' – she was able to light up the room with her warmth, her poise, and her grace; she could truly make you feel like you were the most important person when she was talking with you. She was much loved by her three children, and a devoted grandmother to her five grandchildren, Alex, Cristina, JAC, Samantha and Rob. They all adored her and will greatly miss her sense of fun, her effortless ability to be a fashion icon, and her insatiable desire to be intimately engaged in their lives. She was truly one of a kind.