BERNICE C. CHRISTOPHERSON

Bernice C. Christopherson passed away from her earthly home on May 15, 2015 with one of her beloved grandchildren, Dana, by her side. She was born outside of Danville, PA on June 16, 1924 to Florence and Henry Cooper, the fourth of five children. She attended school in Potts Grove, Milton and Danville, PA and entered school one year early to attend with her older sister, Gladys. After graduation, she worked at a TNT plant near Williamsport, PA. It was there that she met her future husband, Edward W. Christopherson.

They were married in 1944 and lived in New York City, Oak Ridge, TN and finally in Richland, WA, following work provided by the Manhatten Project. Planning on staying in Washington only two years, they stayed a lifetime. They lived on Longfitt, Birch and finally on the Columbia River on Harris Avenue, when they built their retirement home in 1962.

Bernice lost her husband due to an automobile accident January 3, 1978. She was only 53 years old at the time.

She was fiercely independent, for years maintaining her house and large garden by herself. She joined the Desert Ski Bus and went with her son's family on many memorable ski trips and vacations to the ocean. She also enjoyed fishing and square dancing. In later years, she attended every Senior Dance in Pasco and Richland that she could. She loved to dance!

She enjoyed attending her grandchildren's ballet recitals, soccer games and musical performances. She had a full life.

She left her beloved home in 2011, living first at Riverton Assisted Living and then last summer, at Parkview Estates in Kennewick. She was always ready for any board game or bingo!

She is survived by her only child, Edward (Mary Alice) of Richland, her grandchildren Leigh Christopherson (Jeff Engh) of Tigard, OR, Dana Carmichael (Brian) of Bend, OR and Grant Christopherson (Mark Tanner) of San Francisco, CA. She leaves five great-grandchildren: Ryleigh and Hayden Christopherson-Engh of Tigard, OR, and Winston, Cassidy, and Josie Carmichael of Bend, OR. She leaves one surviving sibling, Pete Cooper (Pat) of Danville, PA.

Her family appreciates the excellant care provided by Riverton and Parkview Estates, Kadlec Medical Center and Richland Life Care.

A private remembrance and Celebration of her life will be held July 11.