Bernice E. Eccleston, 87, of Morris, passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at Chase Memorial Nursing Home in New Berlin. Bernice was born on June 26, 1933 in Springfield, MA and was a daughter of the late George and Lillian (Durocher) Tootill.
In 1981 Bernice married Carl Eccleston. Bernie was a faithful member of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church and was the first female member of the New Berlin Fire Department. She was employed in several occupations throughout her life with the most recent being an assistant in dining services at Preferred Mutual Insurance Company. Her true leisure passion was her quilting. She was a member of several quilting groups and very much enjoyed creating quilt pieces and comradery with group members. Bernie also enjoyed fishing, camping and bowling. She very much enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Bernie had a kind and generous heart and a deep love of family. She truly treasured memories of growing up and often related stories of times with her parents and sibling.
Bernice is survived by her children, Ann Downey, Alice Carpenter, Patricia James and David (Emily) James; grandchildren, David (Kari) Hendrickson, Bethaney (Ray) Mills, Scott (Tasha) Church, Adam (Stephanie) Church, Brad Church, Melissa Church, Christopher (Laura) Frink and Connie Frink; 16 great-grandchildren; brother, Donald (Sherrie) Tootill; sisters, Shirley (Gerald) Lewis, Judy Sienkiewcz, Maryann (Gordon) Turner and Susan (Richard) Wright. She also leaves behind several loving nieces, nephews and cousins. She is predeceased by her son, Walter St. Peter, husband, Carl Eccleston and brother-in-law, Charles Sienkiewcz.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Bernie’s Funeral Mass on Monday, December 28, 2020 at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, 24 N. Main St, New Berlin, NY 13411 at 11AM. Due to COVID, masks will be required, social distancing will be practiced and contact tracing will be implemented. Burial will take place in Hillington Cemetery, Morris in the spring of 2021.
Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, 24 N. Main St, New Berlin, NY.
Her family has entrusted her care to the Johnston & Stanimer Funeral Home in Morris. To leave an online condolence to her family, visit www.JohnstonFH.com.