Bernice H. Cole

Bernice H. Cole, 99, of Lebanon died on Thursday, May 27, 2010 at Varney Crossing Nursing Home in North Berwick.Bernice was born in Lebanon on November 15, 1910 to Ernest and Alice Varney Rand and attended local schools. When she was a young woman she was employed in the Sanford mills. Bernice was a very independent and self-sufficient woman, maintaining her drivers license until the age of 96. She was very proud of the fact that she was the oldest resident of Lebanon and holder of the Boston Post Cane. She loved music and was a very talented organ player, a skill that she passed on to her grandchildren. Bernice enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening and was well known for her homemade fudge and root beer. She also enjoyed playing cards and board games. Bernice was very close to her family and enjoyed spending time with them. She will be remembered as a kind and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister and will be dearly missed by her family and friends.Bernice was predeceased by a son, Carlton Jenness Jr. and by several brothers and sisters.Surviving are two sons, Jack Cole and his wife Karen of Lebanon and James Cole of Lebanon; four grandsons, Jack Cole Jr. of Shapleigh, Jason Cole of Lebanon, Jamie Cole of Shapleigh and Teigan Cole of Lebanon; a granddaughter Lynn Jenness of Nashua, NH; eight great-grandchildren; four siblings, Edna Bowman of Chandler, North Carolina, Walter Rand of Sanford, Myron Rand of Lebanon and Doris Hodge of North Berwick and 33 nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 5th at the Evergreen Cemetery (Pine Hill Cemetery), located on Cemetery Road in Berwick.The family would extend their appreciation to the staff of Varney Crossing for the kindness and care given to Bernice during her stay.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Lebanon Rescue Department, 323 Depot Road, Lebanon, ME 04027.To leave a message of condolence for the family please click on the condolences tab to the left.