Kenney, E. Bernice, 86, Truro, passed away Monday, December
30, 2019 at her home at Shannex’s Fergus Hall, Parkland.
Born in Halifax, NS she was predeceased by her loving husband, Dr.
Gordon S. Kenney (March 1, 2017). Intelligent and hard-working,
Bernice had a powerful presence and a caring soul. She graduated from
Victoria General Hospital School of Nursing in 1954. She worked at
Victoria General Hospital in Halifax for a short-time before heading
to the eastern United States to work as a nurse in various hospitals.
She met Gordon there while travelling on a train and they married on
May 26, 1956. While living in Rhode Island, Gordon started his
dentistry practice where they started a family, and fostered several
children.
In 1974, the family moved to Canada where Bernice and Gordon
bought a hobby farm, built their dream home and raised six children in
the countryside in Lower Debert on the beautiful Minas Basin. During
the late 1980’s through 1995, Bernice was determined to meet
the needs of their youngest child Tom who has Down’s
Syndrome, and pursued several education degrees. She achieved a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education at the Nova Scotia
Teacher’s College, Truro, NS and a Masters degree at the
University of Maine, Orono. Furthering her effort to help her son Tom
and others, Bernice pursued her doctorate in Horticulture Therapy
Research at the University of Kansas.
She is survived by her children: Robert (Hantsport, NS);
Nancy (Truro, NS); Alan, (Los Angeles, CA); Ann (Fredericton, NB); Amy
(Veazie, ME) and Thomas (Los Angeles CA). Grandchildren Michael,
Robin, Lenore, Laura, Alex and Zack. As well as five
great-grandchildren.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Mattatall-Varner
Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro. A private viewing will be held
in January followed by a celebration of her life later in May of 2020.
Donations in memory may be made to Halifax Hospice and the Colchester
County SPCA. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the family
by viewing Bernice’s obituary online and selecting
"Send a Condolence" at www.mattatallvanerfh.com