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Bernice DeWan Obituary
Bernice Joyce Cecila Audrey DeWan, 86, of Kirkwood, passed away on March 8, 2014 after a long struggle with dementia. She breathed her last surrounded by her loving children and being embraced by her devoted husband. In her last lucid moments she was able to hear us and smile as we whispered in her ear, we love you. She had many friends through activities in her church's Rosary Altar Society and as a Literacy volunteer where she made lifelong friends from cultures from all over the world. In her working days she was a legal secretary in a local law firm for many years, and later as an executive secretary in the fledging Airborne Computer Lab of IBM in Vestal. If she wasn't busy cooking for her family and keeping things in order around the house you could find her curled up on the couch reading her beloved Dick Francis novels. She was so proud of her heritage, growing up in a musical family with eight brothers and sisters, mother and father whom she loved dearly. But most of all she was known for her sense of humor and people loved her wherever she went. And she was smiling as she departed this world. She is predeceased by her parents Andrew and Dominica "Minnie" Audrey; siblings Kay Owen, Leora Ford, Gregor Audrey, Jimmy Audrey, Pamela Audrey, Arthur Audrey; her lifelong friend Faye O'Neil and her husband Ed O'Neil. She is survived by her loving husband James E. DeWan; her sons Patrick DeWan, Tony DeWan (Jean); her daughters Mary DeWan, Anne DeWan (Brendan Dolan); her grandchildren Robert Frisbie (Emmy Lou Stoudt) and Kelsey DeWan; great grandchildren Noel and Alex Frisbie; her younger brother and sister Gary Audrey (Ann) and Harriet Audrey of Grants Pass, OR; several nieces, nephews and many loving friends. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4 until 7 pm at the THOMAS J. SHEA FUNERAL HOME, INC. 137 Robinson Street, Binghamton. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10am on THURSDAY at St. Mary's Church in Kirkwood. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
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Memories and Condolences
for Bernice DeWan
Shirley Ford-Zimmer
March 4, 2019
Sorry to hear that your Aunt Bernice passed away. MY heart goes out to you all GOD BLESS.
Bob and Jackie Ostrom
March 17, 2014
For Mary,
So sorry to hear your sad news of the passing of your Mother. You have always been - and always will be a very special part of our life and our family. Our love goes out to you and we hold you close - now and always.
Mom and Dad O., David, Lori and Mindy
March 17, 2014
My Aunt Bernie was the nicest lady I ever new & loved all the summers she came out to Oregon. She was so kind & always happy, she was Great!!! xoxo Andrea (Ford)
Harriet Anne Audrey
March 16, 2014
Jim, Patrick, Mary, Tony and Anne,
Saddened by our dear Bernie's passing, but just know that she is enjoying the joys of eternal life; sharing with her siblings, parents and many, many friends. I will always cherish the many memories from childhood thru adulthood - she was always the "special" sister to her siblings. Her love and humor will always be remembered.
Bless each of you and I know she is watching over you...
Joe and Dolores Hauptfleisch
March 15, 2014
Dear DeWan Family,
We learned of Bernie's passing at church tonight and would like to extend our deepest sympathies to all of you. When we moved to Kirkwood she was always one of the smiling faces to greet us whether at church, the beauty shop or the grocery store. She made us feel welcome in our new town of residence. When she moved to Emeritus I would take communion to her and always enjoyed seeing her and her dear friend Althea. They were inseparable.
May Bernie rest in peace and may you all be comforted by your memories of your wife and mother. She made the world a better place.
Sincerely your fellow church family,
Diane Macdonell
March 14, 2014
Mr. DeWan, Mary, Tony, Patrick and Anne --
Saddened to hear of your wife and mother's passing. I'll remember her love of her family, and how she'd watch over and feed us when we went "over to the DeWan's to play". May you and your families find peace in wonderful memories of your life with her... she will always be with you.
Howard Black
March 14, 2014
Pat:
Sorry to see this happen but from what you said this was a blessing. She may not be physically present but the memories are always there.
March 12, 2014
DeWan Family I am so sad to hear of Bernie's passing. She was a dear lady and is was my great pleasure to have known her. Sincerely , Judy Olson
Nancy Tyler and the Audreys
March 12, 2014
To the DeWan Family our sympathies are with you all. Bernie had such a great heart! She will be missed. Heaven has gained another Angel.
Renee Hess
March 12, 2014
Jim and family - I am so sorry to hear of Bernie's passing. Jim, I hope you are comforted in the fact that you shared a love with Bernie that many people never find. I remember seeing the two of you looking at each other and I was in awe at how Bernie's smile was so radiant as the two of you shared a special moment. I hope you feel that radiance everyday to help you get through this...until you meet again. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family.
March 12, 2014
Jim & Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time as Bernice takes her place in Heaven. The kind of person she was is so perfectly portrayed in this guest book. Although I knew her for only a short time one could not forget her keen sense of humor. It was always a pleasure to have her join our little group get-togethers at Emeritus.
Sincerely,
Les
John & Kwiok Andrejack
March 12, 2014
Kwiok and I are so very sorry to here of Bernice's passing. She was a joy to be around and she was always so willing to help other people. Bernice was God's special gift to all of us that knew her.
Michael Witko
March 12, 2014
Pat - Sorry about your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.
March 12, 2014
Pat & Family,
So sorry for your loss, god bless you and your family at this time. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Deb Hernandez
Shelly Hinton
March 11, 2014
Dear Tony, Pat, and the entire DeWan Family,
Your mom was a lovely person and will be missed by many!
Joe and Jean Gabrielli
March 11, 2014
Jim - Sorry to hear about you losing Bernie. We remember our last few visits with you both while visiting in Owego. As always, we will continue to keep in touch. You and your family are in our prayers.
Mark & Louise Audrey
March 11, 2014
Jim and Family Our deepest sympathy for your loss. Bernie will always remain in our memories fondly and a great part of the family history.The Maker has taken her now and will make her new. Rejoice that she is with Him. Love and Peace in this time
Denise Varsik
March 11, 2014
Mary, I am so sorry to hear about your Mom's passing. She sounds like a wonderful lady who will be greatly missed by her family. Easy to see where you get it from! May loving memories keep her close in your heart. Thinking of you....Denise
Lucretia Hudzinski
March 11, 2014
I will miss her humor and will remember fondly her love for Jim. She was a great lady.
Marcia Corprew
March 11, 2014
Mr. DeWan, Anne, Mary, Pat & Tony, sending loads of love & hugs your way. I have so, so many fond memories of growing up in your household and sharing meals with you all. Mrs. DeWan truly treated me like her third daughter which is amazing.
Bill Chamberlain
March 10, 2014
Jim & family, Bernie was the first person to welcome us to the neighborhood 46 years ago with a plate of homemade cookies. She always had a friendly smile whenever she walked or drove by our house and will be missed. Bill & June C.
Dionetta Hudzinski
March 10, 2014
Our hearts are heavy today with the realization of this great loss. Aunt Bernice and Uncle Jim were lovingly adopted into the Hudzinski family when I was 9 years old. Their family became our family. I have some amazing memories of Aunt Bernice. The pranks we would play on each other; Her laughter that was infectious; her smile that would light up a room; her love; My fondest memory was last year when I took Mom to the Golden Days (memory care day care) for lunch in March and found Aunt Bernice there having lunch as well. When Mom and Aunt Bernice saw each other their faces lit up and there was instant recognition. They held hands and reminisced about their children, St Mary's and all the fun times they had together. Friends to the end. They even shared a room at Emeritus for a short time.
The Long Good bye is over. Look out Heaven, Aunt Bernice now rejoins Dad, Aunt Marge, and Rita as well as other Family and friends. What a party that will be.
Uncle Jim, Mary, Anne, Patrick and Tony you are forever in my thoughts and prayers. Love the picture!!
Linda & Kyle Rupe & Esther Phillips
March 10, 2014
Jim & family,
We are so sorry for the loss of your beloved wife & mother. She was a lovely lady...always smiling. Our deepest sympathy to all of you.
Kathi Gabello Huprich
March 10, 2014
Mary and family, I am so sorry about the loss of your mom. I haven't seen any of you in many years, but have great memories of the times we were together! I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Laura ONeil
March 10, 2014
Mary -- I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your mother sounds so wonderful, caring, and funny, just like you! Take care. Laura
David & Becky Ford
March 10, 2014
DeWan family, we are sorry for your great loss, what a great wife Jim and mother to all of you. I have many fond memories of my aunt playing and hanging around your house as a kid. I remember Bernie always smiling, serving and a great sense of humor. Hang on to your memories, but know she has arrived at her final destination with her Creator God.
Josephine Townsley
March 10, 2014
Dear Ann, Mr DeWan and family,
So sorry to hear of your lost. Bernice was such a loving and caring person. She was a second mom to Marcia and I couldn't thank her enough for all the love she showed to Marcia. I will miss exchanging Xmas cards and updates about family. It is great to know she fell asleep in the loving arms of family and woke up in the arms of the Lord. May God grant you all peace and many smiles when you think of all the goods times you shared with your wife,mother,and grandmother. My prayers are with you all.
laurie o'neil
March 10, 2014
to my DeWan family - understandably and obviously there are no words to take away your pain - knowing that she is at peace hopefully will help heal your hearts as much as possible - love and memories never leave us and i have so many wonderful ones with all of you...the first star you see at night will be her lovingly watching over you forever...
God Bless
love you all
laurie
Elaine Martinkovic
March 10, 2014
Mary, I'm sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family. God Bless
Mary Temple
March 10, 2014
My heart goes out to all the DeWans at this time of great sadness. I have such happy memories of her; she was always such a delight to have around. Her laughter will always be with me. It brings me peace to know she is now with her sisters and brothers in the after life (heaven of course!). But there is great sadness knowing she is gone. Peace to you all.
Karen Colpitts Bixby
March 10, 2014
Anne,
I see your smile when I look at the photo of your Mom. Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. Prayers of hope, comfort and love. So sorry for your loss.
Marty Owen
March 10, 2014
A wonderful lady. Rest In Peace Aunt Bernie.
Marty Owen
March 10, 2014
To a wonderful aunt. Rest In Peace
Dennis Ford
March 10, 2014
To all the DeWans, we're so sorry for your loss. A most wonderful lady that we know will be deeply missed. We were so blessed to be out there last summer to visit with her. Still smiling and funny. Dennis & Patti Ford
Julianne Pompeii
March 10, 2014
Cioci (Aunt) Bernice was like a mom to me. I always said I had 3 moms growing up...Aunt Marge, Aunt Bernice, and my mom Althea. It was hard to get anything past that trio. What I remember most about Aunt Bernice was her laughter, it could cut through a gloomy day, no matter how you were feeling, you couldn't help but smile.
I am glad I now have her watching over me. She was an amazing woman whom I will miss greatly but feel blessed to have had her in my life.
Jamie and Darlene Ford
March 10, 2014
DeWan Family, sorry for your loss. She was a loving Aunt and will be dearly missed.
Geri Mikulski
March 10, 2014
Pat, you are in our prayers,
Shirley Ford-Zimmer
March 10, 2014
Hold on to your memories, and let them guide you during this time of sadness.
March 10, 2014
Jim So sorry for loss of your wife. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.. Delis Seeley
Jim & Connie Roach
March 10, 2014
To the DeWan family's
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
May the road rise up to meet her.
May the wind always be at her back.
May the sun shine warm upon her face,
and rains fall soft upon her fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold her in the palm of His hand.
The O'Neils
March 10, 2014
So very sorry to hear the loss of such a wonderful Lady. You couldn't help but smile when you were in her presence. Such an upbeat person. I'll always remember spending summer vacations with her and the Dewan family. Special times! I know that Ed and Faye were one of the first to greet her when she arrived at her heavenly home. We'll all miss her. Thoughts and prayers are with you all during this most difficut time....
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