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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Hanson, Bernadine Bayley “Bernice”

Age 89


HANSON,
Bernadine (Bayley)
“Bernice”

Bernice, a life-long resident of Spokane, WA, was born March 21, 1923 to Marcus and Nellie Bayley and passed away on October 2, 2012.

She graduated from Marycliff High School and attended Holy Names College for two years.

She then received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marylhurst University outside of Portland, Oregon.

After graduation, she went with her parents on a tour of the U.S., taking in all 48 states plus Canada.

They were gone for four months, travelling 24,000 miles.

Bernice also received a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree from Eastern University in Cheney, WA, and taught for five years for Spokane School District 81.

She married Bob Hanson in 1951 and when he was in the Air Force, accompanied him to Fairbanks, Alaska.

She taught for one year at Denali Elementary School in Fairbanks.

While raising five children, Bernice was a Camp Fire Girls and Cub Scout leader.

She was also an Interior Decorator and owned Bernadine’s Interiors for 20 years.

She served as president of Marylhurst Alumni Association, Spokane Home Builders Auxiliary, and Chi Omega Sorority Alumni and was an active member of Immaculate Heart Retreat Auxiliary for many years as well as a long time, active member of Our Lady of Fatima Alter Society.

Bernice loved all forms of art, and loved to play Bridge and Bunco.

She took many trips to Maui but especially loved spending summers on their lake cabin at Lake Coeur d’Alene.

She and her husband celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their family on a Caribbean cruise.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years and by her son, Craig, in 1994.

She is survived by her son, Gary Hanson, Spokane, three daughters; Debra Close of Liberty Lake, WA, Lori Hanson of Mercer Island, WA, and Tammie Hanson of Spokane, WA as well as four granddaughters, one great-granddaughter and several nieces and nephews.

Contributions may be made to Mater Dei Ministry Institute, 405 E. Sinto Ave., Spokane, WA, 99202 or Immaculate Heart Retreat House, 6910 S Ben Burr Rd., Spokane, WA, 99223.

A Vigil will be held on Sunday, October 7, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 1517 E 33rd Ave, at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 8, at Immaculate Heart Retreat Center at 1:00 p.m.

Please visit Bernice’s online memorial and leave a message of condolence at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com