After a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s we’re sad and a little relieved that Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma Berniece passed away peacefully on April 15^th with her family by her side. We’re happy that she’ll be reunited with Benny (1934-2011) the love of her life.

Mom was born and raised in Lethbridge and was the third eldest of eleven Soltys kids. When she married Benny in 1955, he was one of seven children so both families grew considerably. Mom was always busy whether it was cooking up a storm on the farm, raising kids, golf, adventures with Dorothy and Robert Olshaski, visiting her sister Jean Gillie, knitting, Knights of Columbus activities and adventures, the CWL, fishing and family time at Duck Lake, making Ukrainian Easter eggs, reading, cross stitch, travelling with the Old Timers hockey team or just having a coffee and watching humming birds at the Lake.

Mom was never happier than when she was around her children, grandkids and great grandkids. Even in her last days when she had little recognition of others the boisterous sounds of great grandkids on FaceTime got her attention. Her grandkids knew that Grandma always loved spending time with them whether for their yearly birthday date, one on one time at Duck Lake, camping in the River Bottom on Labour Day weekend or making them spaghetti on Halloween.

Our family always looked up to Grandma and Grandpa for living their best lives, never shying away from a trip or an adventure.  As empty nesters they made sure they had no regrets.

Mom is survived by her children Linda, Leroy (Sandra) and Lorne (Teri “Scooter”), her grandchildren Alix (Tyler) Hirsche, Arin (Bub) Lathen, Aric (Micah), Alison (Allan) Schneider, Alan (Britnee), Andin (Kenzie), Ariel (Rob) Olsen, Hannah (Lucas) Neufeld, Devin (Mac Karl), 23 great grandchildren, her sister Jean Gillie and brother Danny Soltys.

We are thankful for the staff at Good Samaritans, Park Meadows for all they did for Mom during her long stay.  We are especially grateful for the care givers in Cottage 6 who looked after Mom with such care and dignity. Your kindness will not be forgotten.

If you knew Mom, take a moment today to reflect on a happy memory of her that makes you smile.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. BASIL’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 604 13^th Street North, Lethbridge, AB, on Wednesday, April 20^th, 2022, at 10:00 am with Father Kevin Tumback celebrating. The Mass will be livestreamed and available to view via Berniece’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Alzheimer Society and let’s eradicate this disease that steals our loved ones twice.

 

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2022-04-15
• Location : Alberta