Bernice S. McNeil, 95, a longtime resident of Norwich passed away early Wednesday morning, July 28, 2021, at the Norwich Rehabilitation Center of Norwich.
Bernie was born in Smyrna on November 9, 1925 the daughter of Martin L. and Ruth (Alling) Symonds. At the early age of 15 she graduated from the Smyrna school and was the Valedictorian of her class. Too young to go to work Bernie went to the Sherburne school for post graduate classes.
Bernie’s working career began with the Gaines Dog Food Factory and then on to the Bennett Ireland Factory. In 1954 following the birth of her children she gained employment with Sheffield’s. Soon thereafter in 1955 Bernie gained employment with the Chenango Saving and Loan, now Community Bank, from which she retired in 1986 and continued to work at the Savings and Loan part time for several years. She also had worked for H&R Block in Norwich and in Chalmette, LA.
Bernie maintained an active life volunteering for many groups and organizations. To name a few, she was a longtime member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, the Monday Evening Rosary and Novena Group, the Broken Squares Dance Club, St. Paul’s Mother Club, St. Paul’s Altar and Rosary Society and the Ladies of Charity/Women of Charity. Bernie also volunteered at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Food Pantry, Holy Family School, Blood Mobiles and funeral luncheons.
From 1986 thru 2019 Bernie wintered in Louisiana with her son Mike and his family. In December of 2019 she moved to the Chenango Valley Home until her recent hospitalization.
In her leisure time Bernie enjoyed working in her flower beds, playing bingo and pitch. In later years she mastered Sudoku, which is a numbers game, of which she was very proud. She was a constant reader and a lifelong learner. She also took and completed several banking and H&R Block classes. Bernie loved to cook & bake and she passed her skills onto her children and grandchildren.
On November 13, 1948 she married Robert E. McNeil who passed away December 14, 1986.
Bernie is survived by her son Michael (Cecilia) McNeil of Vestavia Hills, AL, her daughter Mary Pat Lanfair and companion Frank Brady of Sherburne, her grandchildren Jason (Nicole) McNeil, Christopher McNeil, Katherine “Katie” McNeil, Andrew (Alexis Anderson) McNeil and Robert Lanfair and her great grandchildren Jordan Breaux, Collette McNeil and Jaxton McNeil and her sister Ruth “Sissy” Hawkins of Burbank, OH. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends also survive.
Besides her husband Robert, Bernie was predeceased by her siblings Gordon (Ruth) Symonds, Floyd (Marion) Symonds, Jesse (Mary) Symonds, David (Florence) Symonds, Janette Young (John Graham) (Clyde Young), Frances Ellen Symonds and Martin Symonds Jr.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Bernie will be held on Thursday, August 5, at 10:00 am from St.Paul’s Catholic Church. The Rev. Ralph A. Bove, Pastor will officiate. Burial will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery.
Family and friends may call at the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home on Wednesday from 5-7 pm. The recitation of the Rosary will be held at 4:30 pm from the funeral home.
Bernie’s family would like to especially thank the Chenango Valley Home for their care and support over the past few years.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Chenango County Historical Society, 45 Rexford St., Norwich, NY 13815 in Bernice’s memory or to the Chenango Valley Home, 24 Canasawacta St., Norwich, NY 13815.