Bernice Ellen Coe, 81, passed away unexpectedly on March 28, 2017 at home in Windsor. Bernice, a native of New York, moved to California in the early 1970s and made it her lifelong home. Enamored with beach culture and sunshine early on and drawn to the soothing fog and freshness of the northern coast later in life. She loved her adopted home and spoke passionately about environmental and wildlife protection and preservation.
She was a skilled craftsman and ran a successful restoration and upholstery business for many years in Point Arena, CA. More recently she found a creative outlet in watercolor landscapes. Her eye and natural affinity for color and design was a resource for friends and family. Bernice was especially passionate about early jazz, classic movies and history.
Bernice is predeceased by her parents, Raymond Aiken and Gertrude Hirst of Warwick, NY, and brother, John R Akin, of Pequannock, NJ. She is survived by: daughter Catherine Bogart-Rome, son-in-law Stuart Rome, and granddaughter Sarah Rome, all of Philadelphia, PA; a son, Danny Vail of Huguenot, NY; and her dear little dog companion, Partner. She will be missed by her many friends at the Windsor Mobile Country Club in Windsor, CA.
The family would like to thank the following people for their love and support of Bernice in life and of us as we move through this difficult time: Barbara Clough, Mary McBride, Beverly McMurray, Yvonne Meach, Marilyn Sheffield, Linda and Thom Travis, Larry and Mike, and Linda Veccio.
At Bernice’s request, her cremated remains will be scattered on the shore along the beautiful coast that she loved. Any memorial donations in her honor should be sent to the Sonoma Humane Society, 5345 CA- 12, Santa Rosa, CA 95407. Inquiries can be made to Windsor Healdsburg Mortuary at 707.838.6000.
