Obituary of Bernice Mae Ireland

Bernice M. Ireland, 90, wife of the late Benjamin Ireland, died October 21, 2022 in Bangor. She was born November 25, 1931 in Brewer at her family homestead on Eastern Avenue, the daughter of John L. and Agnes J. (Patterson) Gray.

Bernice loved her hometown of Brewer and was a resident for 85 of her 90 years of life. She was proud of her work as a crossing guard for the City of Brewer for 30 plus years and enjoyed connecting with the school children she met over her many years of service.  After retiring from the City of Brewer, Bernice worked at Smiley's Dress Shop in downtown Bangor for many years.  Bernice was a member of Essex Street Baptist Church since 1964 and participated in the fellowship committee, the sunshine club and the church missionary work. She was also a member of the Grange #372 of Bangor.

Surviving are two children, Lew Ireland and his wife, Jacqueline of Brewer and Lisa Anderson and her husband, Marc of Hampden; five grandchildren, James Stubbs and his wife, Amy, Cassie Hatch, Jessica Montes and her husband, Rickey, Alexis and Garrett Ireland; five great grandchildren, Amaya and Zane Stubbs, Henry and Patrick Hatch-Shaw; and Lucy Montes; one sister, Beryl Marsh of Brewer; and many special nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband of 52 years, and her daughter, Donna Ireland, as well as her siblings, Helen, Clyde, Boyd, Barbara and Goldie. Bernice loved her children and grandchildren dearly and all of them will forever love and miss her. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Winterberry Heights and Kindred Hospice for their exceptional care and compassion. 

Family and friends are invited to visit 4 – 6 PM Friday, October 28, 2022 at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 69 State St., Brewer where a service honoring her life will be held at 6 PM as the visitation concludes. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate to a Memorial Scholarship to be awarded to a Brewer High School Senior in memory of Bernice and her many years of service to Brewer students, c/o Lew Ireland, 182 Parkway North, Brewer, Maine  04412.  Messages and memories may be shared with her family on the tribute wall of kileyandfoley.com.