Bernice was born in Cushing, Ok. As a young woman she worked in an aircraft factory in Detroit during the early part of WWII. She migrated with her mother and four sisters to Atwater, CA where she met and married her husband of 62 years, David F. Mendonca. Their early years were spent tending the family farm in Atwater and they moved to the Turlock area in 1947. She was a resident of Turlock for 69 years. She graduated from the nursing program at Modesto Junior College and became a licensed vocational Nurse (LVN) in 1968. Bernice (sometimes called Bernie or Mickie) worked as a nurse for Emmanuel Hospital for 22 years until her retirement in 1990. Her husband passed away in 2006 and Bernice moved to Arbor Manor Senior Apartments where she spent the last 9 years of her life.

Everyone that knew Bernice loved her. She was so compassionate, caring, and was perfectly suited for her final occupation.  She had many hobbies including, gardening, home canning, cooking, RVing, card playing and her greatest passion of sewing and making quilts. She loved animals and was known to have nursed several wild birds with broken wings back to life.

Bernice is survived by her two sons, Richard J. Mendonca of Camarillo, CA and David T. Mendonca of Ceres, CA. She was preceded in death by her husband, David F. Mendonca and her daughter, Jeannette Marie Mendonca Munger. She leaves Grandchildren, Michael and Susan Mendonca and Chris and Heather Munger, Grandchildren, Mike and Jeff Lawson, five great Grandchildren and Six Great Great Grandchildren. She also leaves behind two sisters, Edna Dirks of Mesa, AZ and Fran Hopkins of Fairfield, CA.

Lakewood Memorial Park in Hughson, CA will be handling final arrangements and internment. There will be a graveside memorial service on Friday, September 16, 2016 at 10:30am. Condolences may be shared on the Lakewood website and guest book. Remembrances can be made to your favorite charity.