Dorothy “Bernice” Snook (née Horton) passed away peacefully after a short struggle with cancer on December 9, 2021, with her sons and other family members at her side. Predeceased by her husband John in 2001, Bernice is lovingly remembered by her children Sheila (Reinhard), David (Cathy), and Wayne (Joe-Anne), as well as her grandchildren, Jessica, Andrea, Sarah, Jonathan, Amy, and Cory, her sister Joyce (Chris), many nieces and nephews, and a large and wonderful circle of friends.
Bernice was born on September 13, 1928, in Winnipeg, MB to parents Richard Leworthy Horton and Dorothy Marguerita Horton (née Langley). In 1929 her parents moved to southern Alberta, and eventually settled on a farm in Lethbridge. After high school Bernice moved to Vancouver, worked to put herself through Pitman’s typing and shorthand courses, and met her beloved husband, John David Snook. Bernice and John married on September 8, 1948.
After a year in Prince George, 1950, Bernice and John built their first home on Granville Ave in Richmond. They later moved to Kitsilano, and then in 1957 to New Westminster, where they founded Rose Garth Catering, together with Bernice’s sister and brother-in-law. Bernice and John owned and managed other companies as well, and Bernice worked tirelessly in the family business until she turned 90 in 2018.
Bernice and John built a cabin at Green Lake, where they spent many happy holidays with family and friends. They were great dancers, and members of the Fraser Valley Square and Round Dance Association for many decades. Bernice continued square and round dancing until the dances stopped due to Covid-19. She was also an avid traveller and enjoyed holidays in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, and other destinations. Bernice enjoyed making new friends, and she will be missed by many.
There will be an outdoor graveside service with fellowship at 1:00 PM on Dec. 29, 2021, at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3789 Royal Oak Ave, Burnaby, BC, Remembrance Garden, Lot 586, Space 5 ( masks required ). The service will be livestreamed at https://www.legacystreaming.com/kearney/. Rev. Calum MacLeod will officiate. We hope to hold an outdoor celebration of Bernice’s life in the spring or summer. Condolences can be left at https://kearneyfs.com/obituaries. Flowers are optional as are any donations in Bernice’s name to The Canadian Cancer Society.