Bernice Mckenzie

Bernice McKenzie, 69, of Spokane, WA passed from this life peacefully and gracefully on November 7, 2013 from recently diagnosed C.O.P.D.. Bernice was a beloved mom, grandma, sister and friend. She was born the 6th of 9 children to Floyd & Helen Baylor on December 19, 1943 in Lolo, MT.. Bernice grew up in Western Montana and attended school in Thompson Falls where she met and married Dave McKenzie. Together they had a daughter and 3 sons. They later divorced. In 1988 she ventured on from Montana to Lake Tahoe to pursue new dreams. She loved the beauty of Tahoe and spent many hours enjoying the sunny outdoors. Here she began her long career at various casinos in the entertainment & gaming industry until her retirement in 2013 from the box office at Northern Quest Casino in Spokane. She enjoyed little road trips to the nearby Casinos with her good friend, Linda, sharing stories, laughing and hoping to hit the jackpot. Reading and politics were also a couple of her favorites. She was always passionate about a good political argument. Bernice had a work ethic to be admired. She worked very hard and meticulously at every job she had and everything she did. It was newly discovered she was an avid memory keeper of her family history and of her 4 children's lives & families. All the special discoveries have confirmed what a beautiful, loving, complex, giving, devoted, kindhearted spirit she truly was. Bernice is survived by daughter, Allison McKenzie (Mark O'Conner); son, Deacon McKenzie & wife, Monique; son, Scott McKenzie & wife, Meghann; son, Kelley McKenzie & wife, Jodi. 10 grandchildren, Ryan, Max & Stephen Tuttle; Lauren, Kirk & Cade McKenzie; Jessica & Megan McKenzie; Michael & Sarah McKenzie along with 2 great grandchildren, Tytus Tuttle and Braylon McKenzie and many nieces & nephews. She leaves behind brothers, Ed & Jim Baylor and sisters, Sherry Weingart, Bonnie Doty & Pie Wunderlich. She was preceeded in death by both her parents and brothers, Bruce & Dave Baylor & sister Lori Jonas and Aunt Violet. A celebration of Bernice's life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 16, 2013 at Bell Tower Funeral Home in Post Falls, ID; followed by a reception. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice House of CDA.