Published in the July 18, 2016 edition.
MANCHESTER, N.H. — Bernice “Bernie” Plaza, 93, of Manchester, N.H., passed away at Mount Carmel Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on Friday, July 15.
She was born in Somerville on Dec. 3, 1922, the daughter of Hans and Bernice (Schofield) Wackrow. She had been a New Hampshire resident since 2010.
Bernie and her husband Joseph were married in Charlestown. When Joe returned from World War II, they eventually moved to Somerville, where they raised their family. She later moved to Wakefield and lived there for 27 years.
Bernie was a loving and caring mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She cherished her family and was always there to listen to any of their needs. She loved baking desserts for them (and herself!) and she loved travelling with each of her children and their families. She took great pride in her home in Wakefield and enjoyed her daily walks around the Lake and her walks at the Liberty Tree Mall with her friends.
It was life’s simple pleasures that brought her joy and through that joy she brought happiness to others. Bernie was a kid at heart who loved to have fun. She shared that fun personality with everyone she met and always reached out to those who needed a smile.
She had a wonderful sense of humor; she loved to tease people and be teased by others and was always open to new adventures. She enjoyed crafts and was a Red Hatter. Music sing-alongs brightened her day and she was always the first one on the dance floor to do the “Chicken Dance.” Little children always brought a smile to her face. She adored each of her grandchildren and she was an important person in each of their lives.
Bernie’s caring and fun-loving heart will be deeply missed.
She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph, her parents, brothers and sisters, daughter-in-law Viola and great-grand-daughter, Erika.
Family members include her two sons, Joseph Plaza Jr. of Florida, Paul Plaza and his wife Patricia of Florida; two daughters, Donna Berecz and her husband Frank of Massachusetts, Barbara Dalton and her husband Marlin “Skip” of New Hampshire; seven grandchildren, Pamela, Joseph, Jeffrey, Steve, Jonathan, Timothy and Adam; five great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Alec, Erin, Samuel and Evan; nephews and nieces.
The family is extremely grateful to Mount Carmel Rehabilitation and Nursing facility for the excellent and loving care that Bernie received.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Mount Carmel Chapel, 235 Myrtle St., Manchester, N.H. on Tuesday, July 19, at 11 a.m. Immediately following will be a Celebration of Life luncheon at the Puritan Conference and Convention Center. Following the Celebration of Life there will be a private graveside service.
To share a memory or offer a condolence please visit www.phaneuf.net.
