Bernice M. Woodard Bernice M. Woodard, 94, of Redding Connecticut passed away peacefully on March 22, 2012 at her residence at Meadow Ridge. Bernice Fay McCaughey was born in Emington, Illinois, a small farming community, in 1918. She grew up on land her grandfather had claimed in the mid-1800s, in the house he had built. Farming may have been in Bernice’s blood but it was never in her heart. At age 18, she went to work in Kankakee as a secretary, and when the US government expanded operations in the build-up to WWII, Bernice set off on a train for Washington, D.C. It was there that she met Woody, whom she would marry, love and support for 64 years until Woody’s death in 2005. Woody enlisted in the Army Air Corps and piloted a B-24 Liberator in the Pacific theatre. Bernice accompanied Woody across the US during his extensive training and bid him farewell when he departed for war. While Woody was flying over 50 combat missions and earning an array of medals, Bernice held several jobs at home and waited. At the end of the war, they returned to Washington. Bernice and Woody raised two sons, Steve (1946) and Tom (1947), living in Closter, NJ from 1951 – 1970. Bernice was a consummate wife, mother and homemaker. When expenses mounted, Bernice would take in clerical work at home to supplement the family income. Perhaps the best surprise in Bernice’s life occurred in 1962 with the birth of Vicki – the girl Bernice always wanted. A loving and ever-amusing daughter, Vicki most often referred to Bernice and Woody as “the Goats.” She has always considered it her privilege to be raised by experienced parents. Vicki grew up in Wayzata, MN where Bernice and Woody lived from 1970 until 1984 when they retired to Pinehurst, NC. In 1995, they moved to Plantation Village in Wilmington, NC. Bernice made friends easily because she was always a good friend. She enjoyed playing bridge, until she could no longer remember what was trump. She volunteered in support of various organizations and was active in her church. In retirement, Bernice and Woody traveled extensively. As a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Bernice would willingly offer advice and opinions when asked, but otherwise kept her own counsel and allowed her offspring to make their own mistakes. Bernice is survived by her three children, Steve, Tom and Vicki Woodard and their spouses; six grandchildren, Jason, Duncan, Matthew and Nicholas Woodard, Simone Monahan, and Mike Reeber; and six great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed and long-remembered. For online condolences visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com