Bernice was preceded in death by her parents Gunnar and Ingrid Skartland (deceased 1986 & 1983), husband Dr. Edward (Ed) Barron (deceased 1993), and sister Irene Laegreid-Simmons (deceased 2017).
Bernice is survived by her three daughters, Christine Steele (Wayne), Pamela Newell (Brian), and Anna Marie Barron. She leaves a proud legacy of 11 grand and great grandchildren. Her 7 grandchildren are Summer LeMieux (Adam), Heidi Steele, Conrad Newell (Britta), Joel Steele (Keli), Cassie Jensen (Eric), EJ Tilt, and Tony Tilt. Her great grandchildren are Amos LeMieux, Evelyn LeMieux, Torben Newell, and Wyatt Steele.
Family meant everything to Bernice. She was the epitome of the matriarch of her family: a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. As Ed pursued his doctorate degree in their early years of marriage, Bernice worked at the Ruth Ashbrook Bakery as a comptroller by day to support their family, and helped Ed type his thesis by night. She volunteered at Virginia Mason Medical Center while he worked at the downtown hospital post-graduation. Bernice devoted her life to affording her daughters a well-rounded, well-loved upbringing; actively participating in their extracurricular activities (Job’s Daughters, Brownies/Girl Scouts, art classes, horseback riding, folk dancing, etc.) and was named a Shoreline School District Golden Acorn Award winner for going above and beyond in her volunteer work for her childrens’ school. Her home was a true reflection of her heart and spirit; bursting with love, and adorned with pictures of family and treasures from her world travels.
Bernice was proud of her Norwegian heritage and visited Norway many times to stay connected with family. Both of her parents had immigrated from Norway. She looked forward to celebrating Syttende Mai (Seventeenth of May) by attending Ballard’s annual celebration parade with family. The Edmonds Son’s of Norway Lodge was close to her heart. She was a Golden Member of the Lodge and enjoyed going to local lodge fall craft fairs and buying Rosemaling and Nisse (gnome) pieces. Bernice enjoyed creating Scandinavian embroidery work and collecting Norwegian art; especially if it included the Norwegian flag, a Viking ship or a stave church in the design. She was a true Norwegian at heart.
After Ed passed unexpectedly in 1993, Bernice channeled her father’s adventurous spirit and embraced a renewed love for traveling; ultimately visiting 5 of the 7 continents, climbed the Egyptian and Mayan pyramids, walked the Great Wall, visited Tiananmen and Red Squares, swam with dolphins even though she was petrified of water, and so much more. She was always ready for a trip. Bernice lived a full life; filled with love, grace and adventure.
Bernice will be buried in a private burial service along with her beloved Ed’s ashes. A public celebration of life gathering will be held in Bernice’s honor on Friday, January 26th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Edmonds Waterfront Center, 200 Railroad Ave., Edmonds, Washington, 98020. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Dreamweaver Foundation, https://dreamweaver.org. The story of Bernice’s experience with Dreamweaver, and how they recently helped make one of her dreams come true, can be found here https:dreamweaver.org/Bernice-dream-2.
Til vi møtes igjen, mom/grandma.
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