Bernice Dorothea Wirowek, 96, of Albany passed away Saturday at the Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House.
Bernice was born in Bridgeport, Conn., to Leon and Henrietta (Burguiere) Henry. She grew up in Enfield, Conn., and graduated from high school there. She worked for the federal government as a secretary in the War Department at Bradley Field, Conn.
She was married to Bruce Smelser in Enfield on June 6, 1941; after his death she married Robert O. "Bob" Wirowek on Saturday, Nov. 3, 1956, in Albany where they lived until his death on March 3, 2003.
Bernice was employed by the Albany Research Center with the Bureau of Mines for over 40 years and retired in 1971. After that she sold Mary Kay Cosmetics. Bernice loved Albany and lived here for over 70 years and was so happy when Bob sold the home he built on Santiam bluff to move to the Mennonite Village where she lived for the last 14 years.
Bernice was a member of the Hospital Auxiliary and the Daughters of the American Revolution and was a founding member of the Federal Metals Credit Union, now known as the Central Willamette Community Credit Union. She loved to travel and was proud of the fact she had been to over 20 different countries and most of the states in our union, and she loved to dance.
Bernice is survived by daughter Pamela Getty and husband Tom of Salem; brothers Robert Henry and wife Millie of Enfield, Conn., and Clifford Henry and wife Marlene of St. Petersburg, Fla.; grandchildren Kurt Ditzler, Michelle Ditzler-Canaca and husband Antonio, Alissa Alexander, Alex Alexander, Pedar Getty and Kimberelee Getty; and great-grandson Oliver Canaca.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and son Bradley Alexander.
A celebration of life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 1, at AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home, with a reception to follow.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House in care of AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home.