Sr. Bernice Beauvais, CSJ

Bernice Beauvais was born in Anchorville, Michigan on February 22, 1929, the daughter of Gabriel and Cecilia (Christie) Beauvais. She was a member of Immaculate Conception in Anchorville, Michigan at the time of her entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth on July 1, 1946. Bernice received the name Sister Victoria at her reception on January 3, 1947 but later returned to her baptismal name. She pronounced first vows on January 3, 1949 and final vows on January 3, 1952.

Sister Bernice received a Bachelor of Science degree from Nazareth College majoring in mathematics. She went on to Wayne State University where she received a Master’s degree in Education in 1971. Sister Bernice began her ministry of teaching at St. Francis Home and St. Michael’s in Pontiac, Michigan. She also taught at St. John Vianney in Flint, Sacred Heart in Birch Run, St. Joan of Arc and St. Gertrude’s in St. Clair Shores and St. Joseph’s in Kalamazoo. In 1975 Sister Bernice became Assistant Principal at St. Joan of Arc and also continued teaching kindergarten and the elementary grades. In 1982 Sister Bernice moved to Kalamazoo where she taught kindergarten and was also the RCIA Director and Pastoral Minister at St. Monica’s in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In September, 2013 Sister Bernice retired and moved to Nazareth Center.

Sister Bernice was an avid card player and loved to put together jigsaw puzzles. She delighted in root beer floats and liver and onions. She cherished her family and her religious community and found her support in a deep relationship with her Lord in prayer and in ministry to others, first in different schools and parishes and then with her sisters at Nazareth. May our dear Sister Bernice now enjoy the fullness of the Lord’s resurrection along with her family and friends who joyfully awaited her arrival into eternal life.

Arrangements by Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler - Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Drive (269-375-2900). www.lifestorynet.com