Bernice Anna Wood

03/11/1923 — 08/25/2014

From Pasco, WA, US | Born in Kiel, WI

Bernice Anna Wood

Bernice Anna Wood

Bernice Anna Wood, age 91, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2014, in Richland, Washington, with her daughter Pamela by her side. Bernice was born March 11, 1923, in Kiel, Wisconsin, to Anna and Herman Schmidt. With six siblings before her, Bernice always said she was "the blessed child" as the seventh; four more siblings followed. Bernice was the last survivor of this large farming family prior to her passing.

When Bernice was 18, she moved with a sister, traveling by train, to Los Angeles, California, where she met and married William Bill Wood, January 11, 1947. The couple had two children, Pamela and William Jr., Bill. The family settled in Van Nuys, California, and became long-time owners of a paint, wallpaper and art supplies business in West Los Angeles at Pico and Robertson. She loved being a mother, leading Pam's Girl Scout troop and being named "official baseball scorekeeper," as Bill Jr. progressed through baseball into the major leagues.

After William Bill Sr. passed away on January 28, 1977, Bernice continued to manage the family paint business with her son, Bill Jr., and was simultaneously co-owner of a hot dog stand in a West San Fernando Valley mall. After Bill Sr.'s passing, Bernice quit smoking and returned to her first love of fitness: she began jogging and working out at the YMCA every morning. She retired in January 1984 and moved to the desert Cathedral City, California where she spent winters golfing and skiing at the family cabin in Big Bear Lake, California. Summers in Big Bear found her either at the golf course with the women's club or out on the boat fishing for trout. She organized a ladies golfing 8-some "Tuesday Group" in the desert in the early 2000's which still continues today.

Bernice married her second husband, Douglass Hayes, of Big Bear Lake, in 1992, who later passed in 1999. In 2010 she moved to be under the care of her daughter in Richland, Washington. She lived until her passing at the Guardian Angel Homes where she received loving care, fun activities, and enjoyed many hours of crocheting and jigsaw puzzles.

Bernice is survived by her daughter Pamela Anderson, son William Holly Wood, grandchildren Kim Trent Watkins, Curtis Charlene Anderson, and great grandchildren Madison and Cooper Watkins, Nicole and Jordan Hoff Anderson, and Ella, Conner and Holly Anderson.

Bernice was preceded in death by parents Anna and Herman Schmidt, sisters Dorothy Brehm, Loraine Bescow and June Neitzel, and brothers Earl Schmidt, Melvin Schmidt, Orville Schmidt, Howard Schmidt, Ralph Schmidt, Russell Schmidt and Eugene Schmidt.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 13th at 3:00 pm at Cathedral of Joy, 1153 Gage Blvd, Richland. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Bernice's name to the charity of your choice.

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