Passed away peacefully after a brief stay at Huronview Home for the Aged, Clinton on Monday, July 28, 2025 at the age of 92. Proud mom of Richard (Yvonne) Hulley of Elora, and Randy Hulley of London. Cherished grandma of Owen & Serina of Kitchener, and the late Brandon Hulley (2002). She was especially adored by her great granddaughter, Aaliyah. Fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents James Hulley (1969) and Lena (Pollard) Hulley (1948) and her sisters Doris Restall (2002) and Ruth Fletcher (2014).
Bernice was a quiet and very independent woman who lived her entire life in the Seaforth community. She was an avid reader and could complete every manner of puzzles up to her passing. She was especially proud of completing a Christmas board puzzle with family and the New York Times puzzle every Christmas.
Born in 1933 she was influenced by the Depression and war years, which led to values of hard work, attention to a healthy lifestyle and financial responsibility throughout her life. She acquired her drivers licence in her 50s, and once she retired almost 30 years ago could be seen driving the roads of Huron County and surrounding counties in her Toyota with Ruth and many friends, living life to the fullest. She spent time travelling to the Bahamas, Jamaica, Mexico, many parts of the United States and eastern Canada. She had always wanted to travel to the United Kingdom and had a memorable trip there as well. She spent many hours in aquafit classes at the Vanastra Rec Centre and monthly get togethers of the local Red Hats.
She also knew that community volunteerism was important and volunteered at the local hospital, the Van Egmond Foundation and many others. She could never turn down purchasing tickets to any charity and community support.
Keeping with Bernice’s wishes, cremation and a private family internment will take place at a later date.
Donations of support to the Van Egmond Foundation or the Seaforth Community Hospital Foundation would be greatly appreciated.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Patricia J. Hackwell
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. May your many memories bring you comfort. Love Audrey (Hulley) Hackwell and family.
Owen Hulley
For Bernice Jean Hulley
My name is Owen Hulley, grandson of Bernice, or as I knew her Grandma. Over
my 42 years, I had come to know Grandma and got acquainted with the character
and values that made her such a beloved member of our family. What started out
at an early age as an expectation of scotch mints and ice cream when my parents
said we were going to Seaforth to visit Grandma Hulley, evolved into a
relationship with a dear friend that I could rely upon for support and advice when
going through my own difficult times. I would like to share some of the stories
that made my Grandma such a special person that I will always feel grateful to
have had her in my life.
Born in 1933, during the height of the Great Depression, Grandma was, and
remained, a product of her generation. She always valued hard work, never
asking for a handout, living within your means, and living a quiet dignified life.
Not unsimilar to many others of the time, Grandma grew up experiencing
economic hardship in the 1930s. She was the middle sister of Doris and Ruth,
spending her early life on a farm that the family rented Northeast of Seaforth.
She would recount how although they did not have much, they did make due with
what they had, and she did remember enjoying the walks to the school house
down the road. Always a voracious reader, Grandma enjoyed school as it
provided a time to learn as well as play with other kids in the area. She
remembered that during the war years, she and her classmates would go down to
the river and pick milkweed as part of her patriotic duty, as the milkweed was
used in life preservers during the second world war. The war also engrained a
feeling of closeness Grandma felt to the British Monarchy, of which she remained
a staunch supporter of throughout her life.
In the 1940s the family had moved from the countryside into Egmondville in
search of more and better economic opportunities. Ultimately settling into a
small white house at 44 Kippen Rd, a house that still stands today. The change
that the family hoped for was derailed when Lena, Grandma’s mother, fell ill and
passed away at the age of 56. This had a dramatic effect on Grandma as she had
just finished elementary school and faced a decision whether to continue on in
school, or enter the work force in order to help provide for her family. Grandma
being Grandma made the decision to put the welfare of others above her own
and entered the workforce after finishing Grade 8.
Grandma gained employment at many local businesses over the years, and this
helped the family stay afloat with her father James, younger sister Ruth, and
herself occupying the small house in Egmondville. It was in 1951 that Grandma
welcomed her first son, Richard, into the world, despite Grandma being only 18
years of age. This blessing was yet another example of Grandma’s trait of
responsibility to family, as she was now to raise and provide for a child of her own
without the assistance of a partner. Steadman’s and IGA provided Grandma with
stable employment where she always proved to be a trustworthy and hard
working employee. Grandma even shared that at one point Steadman’s offered
her the position of bookkeeper due to her excellent mathematics skills and ability
to consistently balance the register at the end of every shift. Unfortunately, due
to her soft spoken nature and lack of self confidence, she turned down that
opportunity. Her employer was able to offer her Wednesday’s off so that she
could take her son on day trips to Goderich and Stratford.
In 1965, Grandma welcomed another son into the world, Randy. Randy has
shared the things he remembers most about his visits with her,
is doing puzzles, both jigsaw and crossword, enjoying sweets such as french
cream cookies, which seemed to be an ongoing theme with those who knew her
best, and introducing him to Agatha Christie books. She also always had an old
Brownie camera she used to take pictures of Randy with her dog Snoopy.
In 1976 and later in 1983, Grandma experienced the joy of grand parenthood,
when my parents had their first born, Brandon, and later their second born, me.
For both Brandon and myself, we could always count on Grandma being at every
Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. As a family, we would complete a 1000
piece puzzle in what became a family tradition at Christmas. As previously
mentioned, a visit to Grandma’s in Seaforth would always come with the promise
of ice cream/milkshakes, and scotch mint candies that she always seemed to have
an endless supply of. One of my earliest childhood memories was when we went
on a family trip to Mexico in 1987, and Grandma was left to look after me while
Mom, Dad, and Brandon went snorkelling. Grandma had bought us large double
scoop ice cream cones on a hot day, and while I wolfed mine down, when I turned
to Grandma, her ice cream had melted to the point that the ice cream fell off the
cone onto the ground. Grandma couldn’t hide her disappointed as she looked
forward to that ice cream on such a hot day in the Mexico sun.
In the second half of her life, Grandma was lucky enough to go on many trips that
she had either won in lotteries and draws, or had saved up for with her own hard
earned money. She managed to visit Bermuda, Nashville, Nova Scotia, Mexico,
Jamaica, and countless bus trip of various durations. Her favourite and highlight
of her travels is when she got to visit Great Britain in the early 1990s. As
previously mentioned she was always a staunch supporter of the British
monarchy, and this trip allowed her to visit the land of her ancestors. She would
often reflect on this trip with fondness in our conversations.
It was in 2021 that a love entered her life that would stay with her through the
end of her days. Her great granddaughter Aaliyah arrived in May 2021, and every
weekly call with Grandma began and ended with enquiries about Aaliyah’s doings.
When we would visit Grandma, just the sight of Aaliyah would immediately result
in increased spirits regardless if Grandma was having a good day or not.
Through all my years, I never heard Grandma speak ill of anyone, save for one
person who currently occupies the White House. She personified the saying
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Often in my weekly discussions
with her, I would remind her that she laid the foundation for our family. Without
her determination and work ethic, things could have been very different for the
generations that followed. She was an important member of our family, she was
loved very much, she will be missed, and she is someone that I am proud to not
only call “Grandma”, but also a very close personal friend that I will never forget.
I would just like to end this by saying thank you to her for everything she endured
and still remained a kind and loving person to the end. I will miss our weekly
conversations over the phone, I will miss her visits over the holidays, I will miss
my Grandma.
Shirkley mcLean
My sympathy with the passing of Bernice. I worked with her at the IGA. A quiet person but a delightful person to know. So happy she got her drivers license and travelled. She will be missed. Shirley Nolan McLean
Margaret Hackney
Dear Randy,
So sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Don and Eileen Muegge
Our condolences to all of Bernice’s family. May memories of her keep your hearts happy. Hugs.
Joyce Ribey
Dear loved ones and friends of Bernice… I am sorry to hear of Bernice’s passing. She will be dearly missed by so many. That ready smile and positive outlook on life made knowing Bernice a delight. Our paths crossed working together at Seaforth Hospital as well as at Red Hats Ladies group and at community functions.
She lived life well and may she rest in peace
Trish Nigh
My condolences to Bernice’s family. Treasure all the memories of this special lady.
Dianne Bennett
I have fond memories of Bernice as she lived beside my grandparents. My deepest sympathy to the family ,and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Rob & Donna Middelkamp
Our Deepest Sympathy to Bernice’s Family on her passing she was a very sweet lady and will be missed very much. We sure miss her at the day center. Sending hugs to the family.
Doug and Judy Dalrymple
What a legacy to live up to. Bernice was always easy to talk with because she kept up with the times. She will be missed. Very glad to have known her.
Jacquelyne Mitchell
Rest in Peace Bernice You were a great volunteer for the Van Egmond Foundation and a wonderful lady to be acquainted with. Sincere condolence to your family God Bless Sincerely Jacquelyne Mitchell
Ann (Rivers) Preszcator
Dear Richard and Family
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time.