Mrs. Marsden was born in Arcade on Nov. 23, 1924 to Floyd and Leta (Gusteval) Dietz. On Aug. 23, 1947 she married her lifetime love, Herbert G. Marsden, who preceded her in death on May 26, 2002. Bernice spent her live as a homemaker, meeting the needs of her family. She also sold real estate at the United Farm Agency in Belfast on the side.
Bernice is survived by her two sons, George H. (Dianne) Marsden of Scio and Randall J. (Mary Lou) Marsden of Wichita Falls, Tex.; two brothers, Alan Dietz of Orchard Park and Russell Dietz of West Seneca; two sisters-in-law, Virginia Mahon of High Point, N.C. and Sarah Marsden of Alden; five grandchildren, Cynthia (Chris) Norman and Jason (fiancé Susan Hill) Marsden, both of Wellsville, Jeanette (Donald) Foster of Wichita Falls, Tex., Robert (Christina) Marsden of Scio and Benjamin (Theresa) Grover of Dalton, Ga.; 14 great grandchildren; 10 great great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death in 1949 by an infant daughter Cindy Lou Marsden.
As the wife of a retired Air Force veteran, Bernice’s early marriage involved many new and interesting adventures. It was during those years, she developed her strong sense of family. As a homemaker, she loved the celebrations of birthdays and Christmas. This blended well with her love of cooking and her talent as a seamstress. Her family was always the focus of her life and to nurture and strengthen those bonds at these special occasions brought her great contentment. It hardly needs to be mentioned her heartfelt joy of being a proud grandma. In her later married years, she and Herby would winter in Dade City, Fla. where they developed many new friends.
Bernice was a very kind and considerate woman to everyone she met. Whether it was a customer she met through a real estate sale or a neighbor, she always made them feel important. When it came to hospitality there was the family expression, “Anytime silverware was dropped she would announce company was coming.” Bernice developed a lifelong love for horses and country music.
Visitation will be held on Saturday from noon – 2 p.m. at Baker-Swan Funeral Home, 3256 Riverside Drive in Wellsville. The funeral service will be held on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home immediately following the visitation with Rev. Steve Barrett of the Lancaster Community Baptist Church in Lancaster officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Bernice’s name may be made to Scio Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 231, Scio, NY 14880.
