Bernice passed away on December 22, 2022 in Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon. She was 87 years of age. She leaves to mourn: her sons Joe (Tina) and Mark; 6 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; her sister Shirley Turgeon, sister-in-law Linda Lewis-Hoey, as well as nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Joe and Hazel Hoey, her aunt and uncle Ancil and Florence Paynter, husband Lloyd, brother Clifford Hoey, brother-in-law Ted Turgeon, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Bernice, or Berni as she was known by her family and friends, was born in Melfort on July 30, 1935 to Joseph and Hazel (Paynter) Hoey. The family lived on a farm in the Kinistino district where she attended a one room school house, Crompton School and for a short time, Kirkton School. Often Berni, her brother Cliff and sister Shirl had to walk many miles to school or, in extreme weather, were driven by horse and caboose.
When Berni was only 9, she lost her mother to cancer. Two years later, her father passed away. The three children were then raised by their Aunt Flo and Uncle Ancil.
They continued to live on the Hoey farm until, with her brother Clifford. Berni started High School at which time the family moved to Kinistino to be near the school. After attending high school Berni took a one-year secretarial course in Prince Albert. She returned to Kinistino and worked for several years at Kinistino Hospital as a nurse's aide. In 1958 she moved to Saskatoon, sharing an apartment with her sister. Berni took a short refresher course in shorthand and typing, then worked as a receptionist and secretary for Saskatoon doctors Dr. Chasmire and Dr. Whitemarsh. There she developed her organizational skills which served her and her family well throughout her life.
Berni married Lloyd Sinclair on April 28, 1962 and moved to the Kinistino area to make their home on the Sinclair family farm. They lived on the farm for the remainder of their lives. They had been married for 56 years before Lloyd passed away April 10, 2006.
Lloyd and Berni enjoyed their farm life. They had two sons and later took great interest in their grandchildren and great grandchildren, often helping to take care of them. Berni was a terrific cook and housekeeper. Her family enjoyed visiting and were always treated to delicious meals, especially her homemade bread and buns. Berni looked after a large garden. She loved animals and treasured numerous pets over the years. She loved to watch birds come to her bird feeders and she especially welcomed the humming birds back each year.
Family was the centre of Berni’s life. She patterned her life as a mother and grandmother after her Grandma Florence Paynter, who she loved dearly and deeply admired. Berni achieved this goal of being a loving, supportive mother and grandmother herself. Above all, this is how she will be remembered.
A Private Family Service will be held.
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