Bernice Penelpie Robinson Obituary (1944

OBITUARY OF BERNICE PENELPIE ROBINSON Bernice Penelpie Robinson ne Ellis, devoted wife and mother, dedicated surgical technologist, loyal friend, and above all else, A child of the King, went to sleep on Saturday, April 07, 2018 at Norwalk Hospital, after a year-long struggle with cancer. She was 73. Bernice was born on April 21, 1944 at Dignum Mountain, a part of the Crescent Community in St. Catherine, Jamaica. She was the youngest of five children: Vera, who resides currently in Jamaica; and, Ruby, Ervin, and Erma, who predeceased her. Bernice was blessed with two sets of parents: Arthur and Lillian Parker Ellis, her birth parents and Walter (Tanta) and Iris (Sis) Irons, her beloved adoptive parents with whom she lived from age two-and-a-half years until adulthood. Bernice affectionately known as Pinnyblossomed under the Irons care. During her teenage/young adulthood years she acquired two other siblings: Cynthia and Valerie. Her birth parents were always a part of her life and she cared for them to the very end. Bernice got her early education at the Spanish Town Primary School. Upon graduation, she apprenticed to seamstress Ms. Bent for her vocational training. At age 16 years Bernice was baptized in the Spanish Town SDA Church and was a very active member being involved in the youth choir, Pathfinder Club, smaller singing groups and Missionary Volunteer Society known now as Adventist Youth. Bernice excelled as a seamstress and in needle work. "Whats your favorite colors," Bernice would ask friends. Within weeks, she gifted them a sweater or afghan. Her crocheted blankets warmed a generation of children born in the 1970s and 1980s. Bernice was independent, adventurous and determined. She was the first her cohort to migrate from Jamaica to the USA. Bernice went back to school to train in health sciences. She desired to be a healthcare worker since early childhood, inspired by the "nurses in brown" in Jamaica--- public health nurses who traveled the countryside to administer vaccinations On August 8, 1969 Bernice began work at Norwalk Hospital. Six months later, Bernice happened to see a flyer in the hospital cafeteria that changed the course of her career and life. The Hospital offered to train any qualifying employee in technical skills to assist surgeons. She leapt at the chance. Thus, her surgical technology career of 47 years began in the Department of Surgery. Bernice mentored, trained and assisted surgical techs, physician's assistants (PAs) and traveling nurses. They respected and adored her, and she them. She loved her job. She considered the operating room staff her "hospital family." Bernice married the love of her life, Seldon Richard Robinson on May 27, 1973 in Norwalk, CT. Their marriage remained a highlight of her life. Bernice and Vennie, as he is affectionately known both loved to serve the Lord and were always gracious for Gods mercy and love. Of their union was born three children Shirleen, Brian, and Kalysha. Bernice's bond with her husband and children was strong and unbreakable, characterized by love, joy, laughter and tears. Bernice had many passions. No surprise that driving was one of them. Bernice would ask, Tell me where you have to go At the appointed time, she was at your door, sometimes before *you* finished dressing. She was ready in her driving seat, the trip plotted on her map, and her car radio tuned to her favorite Christian radio stations. Remember Bernices first car, the green Plymouth Barracuda Yes! She drove church friends to visit other SDA fellowships on Sabbath afternoons. After she started a family, her driving spirit expanded to historical tours to scout crucial places and events in U.S. history. Before each trip, Bernice cooked all day, packed the cooler and car all night and started to drive before dawn. If cars could talk, Bernices red Dodge Caravan would tell endless stories! School sports games, spelling bees, Bible Bowls, and marching band competitions outdoors the caravan sheparded her children everywhere Never forget the camp meetings -- Camp Berkshire and Victory Lake, and Pathfinder Camporees from Bear Mountain in New York State to St. Louis, Missouri. Bernice valued education with a fervor. With ambition, work hard, and have faith in God, and you can accomplish anything, she believed. "Knowledge, like manners, will take you through the world." She vowed to provide a college education to all her children. Two weeks from today, achieves that final goal: her daughter Kalysha will earn her college degree. Bernice loved her Lord and honoring Him was her greatest joys. She volunteered countless times in unseen ways to spread her love and faith. Bernice was a charter member helping to found Norwalk SDA Church, then later, Mamaroneck SDA Church. Over fifty years, she has been Sabbath School Superintendent, Head of the Womens Department, and Head of the Health Department. Most recently, Bernice was Head of the Womens Department at Mamaroneck. For years, she organized friends to join her in an annual Women's Retreat of the Greater New York Conference. Womens Retreat was the highlight of each year. Bernice will be missed sorely and deeply by many. Her legacy is the love she gave and kindness to all she met. Her jokes, opinions, ideas, and love will remain in the heart, mind and soul of all those who loved her. Bernice is survived by her husband, Seldon (Norwalk, CT); her children, Shirleen (Norwalk, CT), Brian (Leesburg, VA) and Kalysha (Takoma Park, MD); her daughter-in-law, Rebecca, and grandson Keenan (Leesburg, VA); Walter Irons (father) of Spanish Town, Jamaica; sisters Vera, Cynthia and Valera; her devoted niece Franceen (Hamilton, NJ), along with a host of other nieces and nephews, cousins, and wonderful life-long friends. Believing in the Blessed Hope, Bernice now sleeps awaiting the glorious shout of the Life Giver: Come ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world! For those of us who are alive, let us be ready to meet our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. SERVICES Visitation Saturday, April 21, 2018 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Baker Funeral Services Chapel 84 South Main Street Norwalk, Connecticut 06854 Funeral Service Sunday, April 22, 2018 4:00 PM Bridgeport Tabernacle Seven Day Adventist Church 717 Clinton Ave Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604