Bernice Cecilia Sweeney
August 6, 1920 — February 8, 2013
Bernice Cecilia Sweeney was born on August 6, 1920 in San Leandro, California to August and Mary (Silva) Fernandes, and was one of nine children. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Leanders Catholic Church and graduated from San Leandro High School with the Class of 1939.
In April of 1940, she was united in marriage to John “Jack” Sweeney, Sr. in Reno, Nevada. There were three children born to them: John, Jr., Jim, and Tim.
Bernice kept busy with her sons and was a member of St. Felisatas Catholic Church in San Leandro for many years before she moved to Iowa. She had remained in California after her husband’s death in 1999 but moved to Harlan to be closer to her son just over six years ago.
She was a resident of Elm Crest Retirement Home in Harln which is where she died on Friday, February 8, 2013, having attained the age of ninety-two years, six months, and two days. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jack, her sons Jack, Jr. and Tim, brothers: Eddie, Henry, and Gilbert, and her sisters: Hilda, Evelyn, and Ruth.
She is survived by her son Jim Sweeney and his wife Brenda of Harlan, Iowa; five grandchildren: Kimberly Sweeney, Colleen Sweeney Fernandez, James P. Sweeney, Jr., Keith P. Sweeney, and Gian Rozelle; five great-grandsons; brother John “Adam” Fernandes of Rio Vista, California; sister Lucille Roach of San Leandro, California; other family members and friends.
In April of 1940, she was united in marriage to John “Jack” Sweeney, Sr. in Reno, Nevada. There were three children born to them: John, Jr., Jim, and Tim.
Bernice kept busy with her sons and was a member of St. Felisatas Catholic Church in San Leandro for many years before she moved to Iowa. She had remained in California after her husband’s death in 1999 but moved to Harlan to be closer to her son just over six years ago.
She was a resident of Elm Crest Retirement Home in Harln which is where she died on Friday, February 8, 2013, having attained the age of ninety-two years, six months, and two days. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jack, her sons Jack, Jr. and Tim, brothers: Eddie, Henry, and Gilbert, and her sisters: Hilda, Evelyn, and Ruth.
She is survived by her son Jim Sweeney and his wife Brenda of Harlan, Iowa; five grandchildren: Kimberly Sweeney, Colleen Sweeney Fernandez, James P. Sweeney, Jr., Keith P. Sweeney, and Gian Rozelle; five great-grandsons; brother John “Adam” Fernandes of Rio Vista, California; sister Lucille Roach of San Leandro, California; other family members and friends.
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