Bernice ‘Bunny’ MERCEREAU

Bunny was raised on a small homestead farm in McDowell, Saskatchewan.  Married Auguste (Shorty) Mercereau on January 7th, 1956 and moved to Meacham, Saskatchewan for two years. They then moved to Duck Lake, Saskatchewan for a short time, then moved back to Meacham, Saskatchewan in 1963.  In 1970 they drove to Cranbrook, B.C. on a summer vacation.  During this trip, Shorty and Danny drove back to Elko, for dad to apply for a job at the mill.  They then drove to Sparwood to apply at the mine, where dad was hired on the spot.  Returning to Cranbrook that day to inform mom that he would be staying to work, and she would be returning to Saskatchewan with 4 kids on her own.  She then returned to Saskatchewan, packing everything they owned into a farm truck and drove back with 4 kids to move to Sparwood, B.C.  In arriving to Sparwood dad had purchased a home before her arrival.  She thought she had won the lottery.  Sparwood would become their forever home and a wonderful community to raise their kids.

Bunny worked may years at Prestige Dry Cleaners and then at Kaiser Resources / Westar Mining as the main receptionist.  She managed the Mountain Shadows Campground, and the clubhouse at the Sparwood Golf Course.  After retirement she then decided to work part-time at the Chamber of Commerce.  She was an honorary lifetime member at the Sparwood Curling Club, President of the Sparwood Seniors Society, and volunteered at the Elk Valley Thrift Store.  She got to know many people over the years and made many friends along the way.

She was predeceased by her parents and husband Shorty.  She leaves behind many happy memories with her children; Danny (Velma), Lorne (Noreen), Lynn (Bill) Cornell, Mickey (Frank) Martin.  Her grandchildren; Lindsey (Mike) Greeley, Susan (Adam) Bell, Justine (Lee) Reynolds, Curtis (Lindsay) Mercereau, Randi (Chris) Lafreniere, Nathan (Monica) Cornell, Jade (Andrew) Johnson.  Her great grandchildren; Audrey, Emmett, Natalie, Raya, Nash, Nixon, Dray, Piper, Brooks, and Rosalie.  Also left to mourn are her sister; Lila Pocha and Brother-in-law Denis Delisle, along with many nieces and nephews who were dear to her heart.

She was a special lady, and will be forever missed by her family, friends, or anyone that knew “Bunny”.

A special thank you, to Dr. Loewen and the staff at the Rocky Mountain Village.