After 96 years spent almost exclusively on the Coast she worked for and loved, Bernice Chamberlin died Feb. 6.
The woman whom Gibsons Mayor Wayne Rowe termed the consummate volunteer was a lifetime advocate for the betterment of the community she cherished.
Chamberlin was born March 18, 1916 in Roberts Creek, and after a short stint in Vancouver, she returned to the Sunshine Coast in the 1940s and never left again.
Her legacy is legendary. She was a founding member of the Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, a charter member of the SPCA and an avid curler who raised funds to build the Gibsons Curling Club.
Her longtime friend Helen Wein-handl remembered Chamberlin as a grand old lady. Weinhandl gave tribute to her fellow Golden Girl as someone who was truly dedicated to everything she did.
She grew beautiful gladiolas that she sold and donated the money to various charities on the Coast. She was just active in so many ways, Weinhandl said.
Perhaps the best known of Chamberlin's many volunteer works was the creation of Brothers Park in the 1960s when she was part of the Gibsons Rural Centennial Committee.
Rowe recalled that when new water lines were put in at the park, a plaque and time capsule were dug up by mistake and subsequently lost. Chamberlin, along with her husband, Cec and friend Bill Wright, set about replacing the items and did so.
The replacement of the lost articles took place eight years ago in 2004, quite inspirational in view of the ages of the individuals spearheading the project, Wendy Gilbertson, director of Gibsons' parks and community services, said in a written tribute to Chamberlin.
At a recent council meeting, Rowe credited Chamberlin as one of the stalwarts who form the background of a community. Indeed there are few areas of Gibsons that Chamberlin didn't play a part in. To recognize her contributions, Chamberlin was named as a Citizen of the Year and in 1990, Golden Girl.
One of her greatest admirers is husband Cec, with whom she would have celebrated 65 years of marriage this year. A great-grandson of George Gibson, founder of Gibsons, Cec has also left his mark on many institutions in the Gibsons area.
Weinhandl said the Chamberlins had a special union.
He looked after her and he made sure he did what he was told to, Weinhandl shared.
Daughter Lynda Chamberlin remembers her mother as a no-nonsense woman who got straight to the point.
She was honest, caring and hardworking, a great role model for us [three] girls, Lynda said.
Bernice was amazing, her proud daughter said. Three years ago the spry senior was still out painting fences.
Her philosophy was 'if you don't use it, you lose it'. About 15 years ago [Bernice] had a heart attack. As soon as she was able, she was right back doing things, Lynda said.
In a later interview, Rowe expressed the sorrow of a community when he said that with the passing of many of the old time pioneers, the backbone of the community is changing. With most families having both parents working, there isn't always the time for people to devote themselves to the community as Bernice did.
She was a quiet, behind-the-scenes kind of person who just rolled up her sleeves and got things done, Rowe said.
Left to mourn the life of this stellar woman are husband Cec, one son, three daughters and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A celebration of Chamberlin's life is planned for this spring.
