Bernice Henderson

Bernice Elaine Henderson

Bernie was born in River Rouge, Michigan to William and Sopia Gourlay on July 30^th, 1927. She was their third born child and was preceded in death by her siblings William, Geraldine and Robert. Mom was a lifelong Catholic, attending parochial school and for a time, she considered becoming a Nun, but that was not part of God’s plan for her. After graduating from Mercy College with a B.S. in Nursing, June of 1950, she began a nursing career that lasted until she was 75, taking time off as necessary to have her children and to care for Norman.  Bernie married the love of her life, Norman Robbins Henderson on October 21, 1950. They were together until he passed away in March of 1991. She never remarried and wasn’t interested in anyone else. Seven of us called her Mom – Michael John, Gary William, Susan Ellen, Sandra Marie, Robin Jean, Kristine Marie and Mark Norman. Michael, Sandra and Susan were waiting for her at Heaven’s Gate along with her beloved Norman.  Over the years others have called Bernie Mom, she was easy to love and once she loved you back, she never stopped…there have been so many. She loved the Lord, her husband, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with all her heart, and she prayed for all of us. She spent a lot of time in her garden, cherished the animals that God brought into her life and touched many lives in 95 years. 

Our Mother bore an enormous amount of responsibility over her lifetime – she always tried to do her very best and for that I will always be grateful. Until we meet again, all my Love.

Bernie left us the way she lived, with grace and dignity, June 18, 2023