Bernice Sheldrick

SHELDRICK, Bernice Florence (née Lapierre)

April 14, 1926 – January 23, 2021

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Bernice Florence Sheldrick in Ottawa in the early morning of January 23, 2021, at the age of 94.

Born on April 14, 1926 the second child of seven children of Oscar Samuel Lapierre and Louise Marie Chalut in Thessalon, Northern Ontario. She spent her formative years in Pembroke, Ontario.

Bernice was predeceased by her husband of 62 years Lt. Col. O.B. (Boyd) Sheldrick (Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps), her sisters Vivian (Gene) Lusignan. Adorina Clear, Jeannine (Léo) Beausejour, Shirley, and brothers Oscar (Pat) and Denis, and her cherished grandson Austin Lapointe.  She is survived by her three children Randall (Linda) Diane (Randy) Wilson and Catherine (Paul) Lapointe. Proud grandmother to Melissa and Jordan Sheldrick; Michelle, Mallory and Julia Wilson; Zachary and Austin Lapointe.

When she was a young child her family moved to Pembroke, Ontario, her father's home town. There she benefited from a bilingual education from the Sisters of Sacred Heart.  She graduated from high school in 1941 at the age of 15. And, like so many others of that time, she had difficulty finding work. She took a part-time job wherever she could, including behind the candy counter at Pembroke's downtown Woolworth's Department Store. She was known to give family and friends more candy than what they paid for.  A year or so later Bernice got a permanent job with the Canadian Army in Camp Petawawa near Pembroke in a large secretarial pool. She enjoyed the work, the responsibilities and the camp social life. She made friends, bowled, played ping pong, skated and even tried curling. She was an avid swimmer and diver. Over the years became a keen and talented 'bridge' player.  Bernice paid taxes for the first time, registered with the Unemployment Insurance Commission (introduced in 1940). At the age of 17, she bought her first of five $50 Victory Bonds (WWII). She and her older sister Vivian enjoyed weekly dances at the camp. Bernice frequently won 'jitterbug' competitions.  It was there in the fall of 1945 that she met her husband then Captain O. B. Sheldrick. They married in June 1946. She happily, albeit naively, embarked on the life of an army wife, packing up and moving from post to post – Camp Petawawa, Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston and Soest West Germany, all while raising three children.  It was in Soest in October 1961 that the family lived under the shadow of the Cold War and the ever present threat of military conflict in their own backyard, including the possibility of nuclear war. No doubt Bernice was worried. She hid her concerns and kept family life as normal as possible.  It was in Ottawa in 1962 after being uprooted many times - as it is the way with military families, Bernice and Boyd became proud home owners for the first time. They unpacked for the last time and settled in Crystal Beach, a new and developing community in the west end of Ottawa.  Boyd retired from the army in 1971. Bernice agreed with him that they had wonderful memories. They had no regrets. They had established lifelong military and civilian friendships.

Special thanks to all the staff at Chartwell Riverpark Retirement Residence for their friendship, kind and considerate care over the last six years.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions a private funeral will be held on February 3, 2021. A memorial mass will be held at a future date.

To commemorate Bernice's life, please consider a donation to the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County, the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.

She will remain forever in our hearts as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She blesses us with her memory.

Condolences, tributes or donations may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com