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Obituary of Bernice Papsdorf
July 4, 1940 – Eston, Saskatchewan
December 13, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta
Mary “Bernice” Papsdorf (nee Fitzmaurice) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024, at the age of 84 years.
Bernice was born in Eston, SK, on July 4, 1940. She grew up on a farm outside of Eston and graduated from the town high school. She was extremely bright, as she demonstrated by skipping two grade levels over the course of her education. She moved to Calgary in the latter half of the 1960s after successfully travelling and working in Europe on a 6-month trip with three girlfriends that changed the way she saw herself and the world. After settling in Calgary, Bernice met and married Dick Papsdorf and they raised their four children in the quiet neighbourhood of Parkland in the south of Calgary. She lived out the rest of her life in different neighbourhoods in South Calgary, never straying too far from her kids who remained in the city.
Bernice excelled at every job she took on, working for various automobile companies (e.g., Chrysler, GMC) and other organizations like Hudson’s Bay Company, mostly in the finance or credit departments, but she achieved her greatest career success working as a collector and supervisor with Ford Credit. Bernice’s vast skill set and no-nonsense attitude made her invaluable to Ford, and she was viewed more as a resource whom everyone (including management) came to than a typical worker. By all accounts, she could have advanced far within the company if she had been willing to be away from her family and travel.
In her personal life, Bernice was a wonderful mother and grandmother who devoted so much of herself to her family (and her beloved pugs), a resourceful cook, a generous gift-giver, an avid gardener, and a diehard Flames fan. She had a lifelong love of flying, and despite her diminutive stature, she used to run many miles every day.
Bernice is survived by her four children: Lisa (Matt) Wheatley of Calgary, Michael (Christina Moniz) Papsdorf of North Vancouver, BC, Eric (Darcie) Papsdorf of Calgary, and Robert (Ashley Schuhmann) Papsdorf of Cumberland, BC; grandchildren: Tristan Papsdorf, Charlie Wheatley, Cole Wheatley, Jazmyne Wellings, Jordan Wellings, Violet Papsdorf, and Adelaide Papsdorf; and great-grandchildren: Owen Wellings, Ryder Tymchyna, Aryelle Wellings, and Blake Wellings.
Bernice is also survived by her younger brother: Mike (Kathy) Fitzmaurice of Eston, SK; nieces: Theresa (Shane) Chipchase, Sharon (Abe) Wolfe, Karen (Larry) Mullis, Ellen (Owen) Owens, Janis (Scott) Hamilton, Brenda (Brian) Robinson, Suzy (Roscoe) Penrod, and Margo (Randy) Hoffner; nephews: Brett (Cindy) Fitzmaurice, Bill (Val) Hamilton, John (Gina) Hamilton, Greg (Bobbi) Hamilton, and Garth (Holly) Hamilton; too many wonderful great-nieces and nephews to name; and numerous other honorary family members, friends, and acquaintances.
Bernice was predeceased by her beloved parents: Annie Marie and Harold Fitzmaurice; siblings: Hugh Fitzmaurice, Eileen (Hubert) Hamilton, Ken Fitzmaurice, and Joe Fitzmaurice; nephews: Bob Hamilton, Joe Hamilton, and Pat Hamilton; and her very spoiled dogs: Pudge, Sassy, and Sage.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (1414 Shawnessy Boulevard S.W., Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow at the Hudsons Canada Pub (Backroom, 16061 Macleod Trail SE, Calgary, AB) from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Bernice’s family here.
In living memory of Bernice Papsdorf, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.
