Bernice Gillespie Collette

Bernice ColletteMurray, Utah

Bernice Collette left this life on May 28, 2025 at the age of 90 in her home in Murray, Utah. She leaves a large family of 6 children, 33 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Ethel Bernice Gillespie was born December 18, 1934 in Los Angeles, California to Robert Narient Gillespie and Lillias Dalton. She grew up in Yerrington and Sparks, Nevada with her family that included 3 brothers and 4 sisters.

Bernice married John Wright in 1953, and had three sons. After their divorce, Bernice married Ronald “Gene” Collette in 1959, who adopted her three sons as his own. The couple had three more children, totaling six children in all.

Bernice was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She and her husband faithfully served three missions—two in the United States and one in Kiev, Ukraine. Bernice served in various church capacities throughout her life including Cub Scouts, visiting teaching, Primary, and Relief Society. In later years she loved working in the baptistry at the Cedar City temple with her husband, Gene. She never wavered in her testimony of the Savior, but was firm in her faith to the end.

Bernice was proud to be a Bell telephone trained switchboard operator. She worked at call centers, Sutter General Hospital in Sacramento, and the Sacramento Newspaper. In Salt Lake City she enjoyed working at IDFL, the International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory. Later she started a child daycare service which she loved doing for many years.

Bernice selflessly served her family and others throughout her life. Guests were plentiful at her Sunday table where she served her favorite meal of pot roast. When Bernice was in her late 70’s and early 80’s, she and Gene volunteered many hundred hours driving dialysis patients to their appointments 45 minutes from their home. She was always quick to serve and cheerfully help others.

Bernice loved her family, her country, and her fellow man. She passed down a legacy of grit and adventure to her 6 children and 101 grand, great, and great-great grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking for family and friends, traveling, swimming and fishing, playing games, and serving others. She loved attending cultural theater productions and watching her posterity play sports. In her later years she and Gene enjoyed watching college and professional sports together.

Survivors include her children, John Lanford Collette of Oregon; Robert Jeffrey (Diane) Collette of Utah; Bret Andrew (Brenda) Collette of California; Margret Jeanne (Harold) Bradley of Utah; Angela Bernice Harris of Nevada; and Ronald Phillip (Anna) Collette of Arizona; Rachel Collette of Utah; and grandchildren, great grandchildren, and a great-great grandchild.

Bernice is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Ronald Gene Collette; her parents and brothers and sisters; son-in-law, Curtiss Jay Harris; daughter-in-law Cheryl Collette; and grandsons Curtiss Jay Harris Jr., Harold Wheeler Bradley IV, and John Phillip Collette.

The funeral to honor Bernice will take place Saturday, June 28, at 1:00 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center, 550 South 100 West, Panguitch, Utah. There will be a viewing from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm. Family prayer at 12:30 pm. Interment in the Panguitch City Cemetery.

More memories, including photos and audio clips of Bernice can be found on FamilySearch.org. Create a free account. Click SEARCH; FAMILY TREE; FIND BY ID; Enter this: LN5Z-W4V. When you find her page, click MEMORIES.

Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook www.maglebymortuary.com.

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