Bernice E. (Haskell) Forrister

**Those wishing to view the broadcast of Bernice's service please use this link on Thursday at 11:00 a.m.**

https://www.fccsm.org/livestream

Shrewsbury - With five children and an active life in her beloved Shrewsbury community, Bernice was a woman always on the move. Steadfast and capable, she was endlessly devoted to the people she loved. Bernice died peacefully on Monday, August 17, 2026, at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester, with her family at her side. She was 92.

Bernice Haskell was born October 27, 1933, in Dexter, Maine, a daughter of the late Herman Mervin “Rusty” and Estelle (Gilbert) Haskell. A graduate of N.H. Fay High School in Dexter, she excelled in both softball and basketball. She moved to the big city of Worcester, MA after graduation where, with her sister Shirley, she lived at the YWCA and worked at Paul Revere Insurance Company. It was there and at the “Y” where she made lifelong friends and through whom Bernice met Shrewsbury native Phillip Forrister. They married on May 16, 1953, at the First Congregational Church in Shrewsbury. After 62 years of marriage, love, and devotion, Phil passed away on November 16, 2015.

While raising her five children, Bernice worked at the former Kings Department Store, as a cafeteria worker in the Shrewsbury school system, and at Fashion Barn in Westboro until 1988. She then joined SELCO, where she worked as a customer service representative and in accounts receivable before retiring in 2000.

Retirement afforded Bernice and Phil many opportunities to travel in their camper, visiting national parks and campgrounds throughout the United States and Canada. Trips north to Maine and Vermont to visit family were always on their travel agenda. Bernice was instrumental in keeping in touch with her N.H. Fay graduating class and organizing their reunions - up through their 73rd in 2024. These reunions offered a chance for annual summer trips to Dexter to stay connected to friends and family.

Within the community, Bernice was an active member of First Congregational Church, where she served on its Board of Deacons, Building and Grounds Committee, and was instrumental in planning and performing in the church’s talent show. Bernice was also very involved and held offices in the Shrewsbury Business Women’s Club. Her favorite volunteer event was working the polls in Shrewsbury for local and national elections, which gave her the opportunity to catch up with folks from town that she didn’t have a chance to see often.

Bernice was a talented cake decorator, having been mentored by her sister-in-law, Grace. Her homemade cakes with buttercream frosting were a fixture at every birthday and wedding cakes graced tables for family and friends. To her children’s delight, there was usually a jar of extra frosting in the refrigerator.

With her well-loved Singer sewing machine, Bernice applied her skills to making clothing for her children, including junior bridesmaid dresses for a family wedding, and costumes for the high school musicals. She was often called upon to stitch a hem, attach a button, or sew patches on Scout or Campfire Girl uniforms. Bernice was just as adept with a crochet hook, creating fun and useful items as the need arose, such as a toe cover for the foot cast she wore when she broke her ankle during the winter.

Social by nature, she loved the company of others and enjoyed the many connections she made throughout her life. Her warmth, energy, and devotion to her family will be deeply missed.

She leaves five children, eight grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren: son Stephen, his wife Stella, grandson David, his wife Rose, great-grandchildren Lindsay, Nola, Tate, Tessa, and Phumi, grandson Paulo, and great-granddaughter Inês; daughter Lynn, granddaughter Jaime, her husband Eric, and great-grandsons Emmett and Quentin; daughter Diane, her husband Steve, and grandchildren Ryan, Eric and his wife Katie, and Sean and his wife Jackie; daughter Dana, her husband Scott, and granddaughters Isabelle and Genevieve; daughter Tina and her husband Spiro; plus many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.

In addition to her beloved Phil, she was predeceased by sister Shirley, step-brother Owen, granddaughter Manuela Neliñha, and great-grandson Nolan. As the last of her generation, Bernice has rejoined many beloved family members of the Gilbert, Haskell, and Forrister families.

Family and friends will honor and remember Bernice’s life by gathering for calling hours in the parlor of First Congregational Church, 19 Church Road, Shrewsbury MA, on Wednesday, September 2nd from 4 to 7 p.m. Her funeral service will be celebrated on Thursday, September 3rd at 11 a.m. in the church. The Rev. Karen Dorshimer Chaplin will officiate. Food and fellowship will immediately follow at the church. Burial in Mountain View Cemetery will be private and at a later date.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Rose Monahan for their compassionate care during Bernice’s final days. Enormous gratitude also goes to those who coordinated and provided extraordinary day and nighttime home care and support with medications for Bernice over the past few years.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Shrewsbury Special Needs Program in care of Shrewsbury Parks and Recreation, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 or Perkins School for the Blind, 175 N. Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472. Please dedicate donations or specify “In memory of Bernice Forrister”.

Arrangements by James + John Heald of The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, Waltham.