Bernice Evelyn (Meyer) Cade

Bernice Evelyn (Meyer) Cade of Gearhart, Oregon, passed away December 15, 2023.  She was born June 24, 1931, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the daughter of Frank and Frances Meyer. She lived in Minnesota through most of her grade school years. She was the third of the Meyers’ seven children and the last surviving family member. While in grade school she and her family moved to Portland, Oregon. She graduated in 1949 from Portland’s Immaculata Academy.

Bernice married Edmund R. Cade in 1950 in Portland and together they built a loving life that grew to having 8 children and their families. In 1959 they moved first to San Leandro, CA then to southern California where they were members of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Altadena. In 1968 they moved to Bellevue, Washington and then to Redmond, WA. In the 1970s and ‘80s she worked part-time in the book department of Bellevue’s Frederick & Nelson department store where she took full advantage of her employee discount and thoroughly enjoyed having her children stop by. When needed, she demonstrated her commitment to family by having her youngest sister join the family in the late 1950s and then by helping to raise three nephews in the 1970s. In 1995 Ed etired, and in 1997 they moved to Gearhart, OR where they were active members of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Seaside.

Bernice loved cooking meals for her growing family, playing cards, playing golf (getting a hole- in-one! at Sahalee), going for walks on the beach, and being outside in her garden. She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing the hymns at mass. Her home was known for having beautiful flower arrangements and hosting many large gatherings of family and friends. She greatly enjoyed reading books by a warm fire and visiting with people. She and Ed always made sure that there was room at the dining table for one more. She spent much of her time volunteering at Our Lady of Victory and working in the parish office. She was also a Lector and Eucharistic minister. Sundays would find her helping out at the “Sunday Supper” serving over 130 families or delivering meals to folks who could not get out of their home.

Bernice’s husband of 68 years passed away in January 2019. She is survived by her brother-in-law, Ron Orlikowski and her sister-in-law Merna Meyer. She is also survived by her 8 children: Damian (Janie); Joseph (Sharon); Matthew (Carol); Susan (Jim); Amy (Bill); Thomas (Susan); Jennifer (John); Michael (Sonja).  She was blessed with many nieces and nephews, 18 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren (so far).

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made in Bernice’s name to either Abel Hospice, Inc. of Palm Desert, 41990 Cook St, Ste 2004 Bldg F, Palm Desert, CA 92211 or The Sunday Supper at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 120 Oceanway St., Seaside, OR 97138.   

A funeral prayer service followed by the interment of Bernice and Edmund’s ashes will be held at 11:30 AM on April 20th at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 333 SW Skyline Blvd., Portland, OR.  Additionally, we will celebrate her life on July 20th in Gearhart, OR, location as yet to be determined.