Obituary of Bernice Mae Cottingham

Bernice died on Tuesday, February 26, 2020 at the age of 92 years, after a long and happy life. She will be missed by her daughter Heather Canevaro; sister Gwen Henry; grandchildren Tony and Vanessa Back, Jeff, Charity and Grant Mills, Theresa and Terry Pedersen; thirteen great-grand kids; one great-great-grandson. She also leaves seventeen nieces, nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews. Bernice was predeceased by her husband Monte; parents Lorne and Florence (Phillips) Ewan; brother Norman (Helene and Margo); brother-in-law Verne Henry; in-laws, Ross and Agnes Cottingham and their children Bertine (Marion), Robert (Daisy) and Elbert (Vivian). Bernice was born and raised in Milestone. She started her working life helping relatives in Lipton and then Milestone farm wives. Next was a job at the local lumber yard followed by being a teller at the Milestone CIBC. Once Heather was in school she worked for Brock's grocery store and then Ghem's. Bernice was a 70 year member of the Rebekahs and a 4-H leader. She also took a ladies curling team to the Regina Bonspiel for several years. Bernice and Monte spent many days camping and fishing in their life. Their first camper was a car with a plywood in the back seat for a bed. Heather got the front seat all to herself, and the camp stove was in the trunk. This was followed with many other homemade accommodations, lastly a 5th wheel parked at the Katepwa golf course. Bernice enjoyed many days of golfing with friends. Unfortunately a broken ankle put a stop to her golfing. Of course time was always made for her garden. Bernice was a great seamstress and quilter, making clothes for Heather and herself as well as enough quilts for doubles for the whole family and to sell at the Farmers Market. For two weeks every summer she would take over the care of her four grandchildren, walking to and from the swimming pool twice a day and then later taking the tribe to Katepwa to camp. Many fond memories were made during that time. Bernice is known as a strong, tough lady who beat breast cancer and two strokes and enjoyed her last years at Arbor Oaks Manor, where she received wonderful, meaningful care. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. There will be no funeral service but a private family graveside service will be held in the spring in Regina Memorial Gardens. Family and friends so wishing may make donations, in memoriam, to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation, #26-1738 Quebec Avenue, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 1V9.   https://www.heartandstroke.ca/get-involved/donate