Bernice A. Pyette

Bernice Anna Pyette, 87, died Saturday May 2, 2009 at her home of natural causes. Her Prayer Vigil Service will be 7 p.m. Tuesday May 5, 2009 at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Home and her Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Wednesday May 6, 2009 at the St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Grosch officiating. Burial will follow at the Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the St. Jude Parish Center immediately after the services at the graveside. Memorial contributions in Bernice’s honor may be made to the Gift Of Life Housing P.O. Box 7008 Great Falls, Montana 59405. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Bernice was born September 10, 1921 in Havre, Montana to Arthur and Gertrude (Fitzgerald) Heeter. She was raised and educated in Havre. Bernice married Jerome Pyette July 20, 1940 in Havre. The couple made their home in Chinook, Montana and began their family together raising six children. The Pyette family moved to Hysham, Montana in 1962 for Jerome’s profession and then on to Billings, Montana in 1971; and finally settled in Havre in 1981. Bernice was a very creative and talented woman, who mastered any talent she chose. She started with ceramics and then moved into porcelain dolls holding doll making classes in her home. She was an excellent seamstress, she grew beautiful flowers and her home and yard were always immaculate. She would help her daughter Lynnette in her green houses and in her flower shop on every holiday. Her talents are far too numerous to describe and they have touched so many people. Bernice’s favorite holiday was Thanksgiving when she would make sure her entire family was together for that holiday. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, V.F.W. Auxiliary, Eagles, and she was in charge of the blood bank in Chinook for many years. She was also a member of the St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Chinook and the St. Jude Catholic Church in Havre. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of sixty four years Jerome Pyette in 2001 and her son Leroy in 1983. Three sisters Marie (Mame); Margaret and Blanche. Bernice is survived by her children: Jerry (Ellen) Pyette of Chinook, Montana; Lynnette (Glenn) Friede of Chinook, Montana; Mike (Twila) Pyette of Cut Bank, Montana; Margaret (Mick) Mellett of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Pat (Terri) Pyette of Chinook, Montana. One sister Beverley (Ken) Marshall of Tennessee. 16 Grandchildren, including Melissa (Dan) Mellett Carpenter of Havre, Montana, Meghan M. Mellett and Marcella M. Mellett both of Orlando, Florida 16 Great Grandchildren, including Reily Bernice Jones of Orlando, Florida 1 Great Great Grandchild Numerous Nieces and Nephews.