Bernice Elaine McDowell

Bernice Elaine McDowell 1927-2021 In November of 1927, Bernice Elaine Miklosky came into the world. Bernice was born to a proud Russian Immigrant, John Miklosky and young mother, Martha and as the story goes, John ran down the street to find a phone to call the doctor to come to the house in Detroit, Michigan. Throughout Bernice’s life she answered to many nicknames including Bernie, Bea, Botsy, Bunnie, and much later, Gramma Bea. She was always “Mom” to us kids. She attended grammar school, along with her sister Marion, and talked often of how there were kids of all ages together in her classes. She talked of how much she loved “Miss Sullivan”, a favorite teacher. Later she attended Plymouth High School where she met her future husband and father of her children. She had an amazing singing voice and loved singing in the choir where she made lifelong friends. She studied ballet under Sandra Severo, who at the time, was one of the leading ballet teachers in Detroit. She was talented enough to receive an offer to dance with a ballet company but when Severo learned of Bernice’s wedding engagement, she told her that she would have to choose between ballet and the marriage. Five children later, I don’t think it was a surprise that Bernice chose the marriage and family. Her love for her children and commitment to her family was her whole life. Bea had a love of fashion and with her artistic talent would sketch dress ideas. As an independent stylish lady of that time, she went to work at J.L. Hudsons in downtown Detroit along with her sister Marion. She later worked at Ford Motor Company, and also at Sinai Hospital where she retired 23 years later. She adored her pets throughout her life, both dogs and cats. She felt an obligation later in life to feed any feline neighbors that visited her porch. Her many passions included a good cup of coffee, writing long letters, shoe shopping, and her all-time favorite, eating chocolate ice cream. She is preceded in death by her father John Miklosky, her mother Martha Miklosky, and sister Marion Standard. She is survived by her five children, nine grandchildren and her beloved cat named Boots who all loved her very much. Private Services arranged by Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, Plymouth. Memorial donations in Bernice's name to: Paws and Whiskers Cat Rescue, 32 Hillwyck Dr., Toledo, OH 43615 www.pawsandwhiskers.org or Planned Pethood for Cats and Dogs www.plannedpethood.org To share a memory, please use the 'Share a Memory' tab on this web page.

Bernice Elaine McDowell

November 9, 1927 - December 30, 2021