BERNICE A MILLER (MENNARD)

Bernice Alice (Mennard) Miller, 89, of South Barre, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at Quaboag Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center.

Bernie was born on September 19, 1936 in Pennsylvania to George A. and Kathryn (Emerich) Mennard. She graduated from Barre High School, class of ‘54 and attended Worcester Hannemann Hospital School of Nursing. On May 19, 1956 she married Earl Miller of Saginaw, Michigan.

In 1969 she began her career as a paraprofessional at Quabbin Regional, first in Physical Education, then in the Nurses office and finishing as Career Counselor. Bernie was very active at Quabbin coaching JV Girls basketball in 1971, part of the leadership group of paraprofessionals, chaperoned many dances, and was co-class advisor to the classes of 1991 and 1996. In 2006, after 37 years she decided to retire.

Outside of Quabbin, Bernie was a 4-H leader to the “Cooking Cookies”, member of the Cradle Rock chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, Council of Aging, Christ Church Knitters. She was a very active parishioner at Christ Episcopal Church in South Barre teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, serving on the Altar Guild and Vestry. More than anything Bernie loved and closely followed (and had an opinion on) all New England sports teams, especially the Celtics. She took it upon herself to text her children and grandchildren updated scores throughout the games. Bernie also took great pride in attending her grandchildren’s theatrical and sporting events wherever they might be.

Bernie loved to knit, read and play games. Neighborhood Pinochle card games in the summer and many hours of table games with family on every holiday gathering.

She leaves behind three daughters: BethAnn Gingras of Winthrop, ME, Cynthia and husband Rodney Wood of Inverness, FL, Ariann and her husband Ed Huether of Lindenhurst, NY, one son, Scott and his wife Gayle of Cape Coral, FL. Grandchildren David Komosa, Michael (Lexie) Gingras, Timothy Gingras, Kathryn (Andrew) Miller, Antione Gingras and Carly Miller. Great grandchildren Kane and Ronin Komosa, Amari and Ezekiel Gingras and Virginia Barger. She also leaves her sister Barbara Mennard, sister-in-laws Rose Smith and Margaret Parens, many nieces and nephews as well as being a surrogate mother and grandmother to many friends over the years who have become like family, further extending her reach of love. Bernie is predeceased by her husband Earl Miller, brother George J. Mennard, brother-in-law Carl Miller, sister-in-laws Alice Whalen, Marylee Hoveland and Ann Furrow.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude for the love and care given to Bernice by the staff of unit 2 and the therapists at Quaboag Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center and Brookhaven Hospice.

A celebration of life will be held later in the spring. In lieu of flowers, Bernice has asked that donations be made to the St Labre Indian School, 112 St Labre Campus Dr. Ashland, MT 59003. Arrangements are under the care of Pillsbury Funeral Homes, Barre. Arrangements are under the care of Pillsbury Funeral Home 96 S. Barre Rd Barre.