Bernice G. Cameron

Bernice Griffin Cameron, born November 17, 1913, passed away March 9, 2020 at age 106.

Born in Granby, CT; she moved to Manatee, FL as an elementary school child and lived the remainder of her life in Florida.

Bernice met her soon to be husband, Joe Cameron, in typing class at Manatee High School.  She was beautiful, flirtatious, and good natured.  For Joe, it was “love at first sight” and he won her hand in marriage over countless other suitors.  They were married fifty years until Joe’s death, October 23, 1984.  They were devoted to each other and passed on their love, commitment, and strong values to their three daughters.

Bernice grew up playing piano for Manatee Methodist Church and other organizations in the area.  The Optimist Club flew her to Tampa to play as there were no bridges.  The piano remained a love and joy in her life…. her husband once sold a cow to give her a new piano as an anniversary present.

The couple moved to Jacksonville, FL in 1943 and raised their family on a dairy farm.  After selling the “herd” in 1954 they operated a mobile home park and sales.  When retired, it was off to Winter Haven and then the West Palm Beach area.  Bernice joined the Garcilosa de la Vega chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution serving twice as Regent and played piano for their meetings and luncheons until she was 103.

Bernice loved to travel.  She told everyone her middle initial, G, stood for GO!!!  After her husband’s death, she traveled with her daughters to New Mexico, Grand Canyon, West Virginia, Connecticut, San Francisco, Alaska, Lake Tahoe, Hawaii, Nassau, England, and Scotland.  She often fled the hurricanes to be with her granddaughter in Atlanta, Georgia.

Failing health caused her move to Vero Beach, into the home of one of her daughters, at age 104.  After one year, she moved to Solaris, an assisted living community, where she remained for another year under Hospice care, until her death.  At Solaris, she was the “queen bee” and everyone’s Grandma.  Her sharp wit and humor endeared her to staff and residents alike.

Bernice is survived by daughters, Edith Peterson, Laura Cameron, and Kay Gregory (Gus).  She is also survived by grandchildren, Debbie Bailey (Kevin), Gary Peterson (Elizabeth), Cyndie Ulrich, Cameron Ader, and great-grandchildren, Mathew Ingle, Sara Bailey Milks’s (Bret), and Chloe Ulrich Moore.  Bernice will be greatly missed by her family.  She inspired us with her spirit and spunk.  Bernice wished to be remembered by her favorite poem, CROSSING THE BAR by Alfred Lord Tenneyson.

The family will gather in Bradenton, FL for a Celebration of Life and to inter her cremated remains next to Joe’s grave, in the Griffin Family Plot.

The Garcilaso de la Vega Chapter of DAR will be honoring Bernice’s memory at their luncheon, May 16^th, at Atlantis Country Club, West Palm Beach, FL.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VNA Hospice, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.

Additional photos can be viewed on Facebook:  Manatee High Alumni.

Bernice loved to share the gift of music. Please click on the “IMG_3361” below to enjoy Amazing Grace, with Bernice.

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