Obituary of Bernice Carter

On October 10, 2020 the world lost a beautiful soul. Our mother, aunt and grandmother, Bernice Carter, passed away at Hanna Long Term Care after a fifteen year battle with Alzheimer's disease. Bernice was born in Hanna on December 21st, 1926 to William (Bill) and Sarah Bell. She excelled at school and graduated at 16. Nursing school was her goal, but she was too young and not being willing to wait three more years to be allowed to attend, she went to Calgary and studied to become a paralegal. Bea lived through the ‘dirty thirties’ and watched her brother leave to join the RCAF in 1942. Fortunately, she also watched him come home. On June 30th, 1949, she married Don Carter, a railroad engineer from Winnipeg, Manitoba. From this union came two children. Sadly, Don died on Christmas day in 1967 leaving Bea to care for her ailing mother and two young children. She was the bravest person we know. She faced challenges with calm and perseverance, maintained her humour, woke up every morning with a smile on her face and worked hard to support herself and her children. She contributed to the Hanna community through her years on the Recreation Board and as the Further Education Coordinator. She played bridge, painted, curled, was a talented pianist and supported the interests of her children with energy and commitment. We will miss her. Bea leaves, to mourn her and cherish her memory, her daughter and son-in-law, Marjorie Carter and Hendrik Gelink; her grandchildren Danielle, Cherie, Kateesha and Chauntelle; her great granddaughter Leiah and her nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Vera (1921), her brother Bill (1991), her husband Don and her son Donald (2019). Due to COVID restrictions, there will be no service at this time. Condolences can be sent to cartermb@telus.net. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Alberta and NWT at #1, 5550-44 Street. Red Deer AB T4N 1L1 or Hanna Long Term Care Recreation Program (cheques payable to Hanna Ladies Auxiliary) Box 23, Hanna AB TOJ IPO.