Bernice L. Tenney

BARRE - Bernice “Bea” LaHue Tenney, after waiting for 24 years, has crossed over the bridge into the waiting arms of her loving husband Walter on Monday, April 17, 2023, at the age of 88.

Bea was born prematurely on December 30, 1934, in Waterbury, VT to Donald LaHue and his wife Hazel (Gibson). She enjoyed telling people how she was put in a shoe box and placed on the wood stove to keep her warm. She was a fighter and a strong individual her entire life.

Her early years were spent in Waterbury “on the back side of the river”. She fondly told stories of walking to school, and with her grandmother and aunts to the cemetery on a summer’s evening.

Her parents moved several times in her early years – going to where there was work to be had. The family settled in Barre City where Bea attended North Barre School and then Spaulding High School. She graduated in the Class of 1953 - the first in her family to receive a High School Diploma. During her teenage years she worked at the Magnet Theater and had many stories about popcorn that would make us laugh.

Bea was a strong individual – and that strength was tested at 23 when she lost her father, grandfather, and brother within three months of each other. After their passing her mother decided to move to Holyoke, Massachusetts. Bea and her grandmother went with her. They found work in the factories there. She loved that work, and always said it was the favorite job she ever did.

While in Holyoke she started writing letters to a young man she went to high school with who had joined the Navy after graduating high school. Her mother told her “You always write to servicemen.” As the family story goes, Bea’s five-foot tall mother opened the door to a wall of white – and there stood 6’3” Walter Tenney in his Navy uniform. His ship was stationed in Boston and he had come a calling. He would then come and visit Bea as often as he could. They fell in love, and he asked her to marry him. She always joked that she said ‘yes’ because it seemed like a good idea at the time. She loved him more than anything.

After Walter was honorably discharged they were married in St. Monica Catholic Church in their hometown, Barre City, on May 7, 1960. They lived in Barre, and then moved to Booneville, NY for Walter’s work for the telephone company. They then moved to St. Johnsbury, VT and started their family. After living there several years they made their way back home to Barre. It was there that they raised their family. Bea was tireless. She raised four children, ran the house, worked part-time, and was a wonderful cook – though we later found out she hated cooking and only did it because “I had to feed you kids!”.  She was always there to help out family and friends who were in need.

In 1982 they moved to Richmond, VT for Walter’s work. Bea loved living there, and always said it was her most favorite place she ever lived. After being there several years they returned to Barre for a bit until Walter’s retirement from the telephone company. They then moved to Rapid City, South Dakota, and later to Las Vegas, Nevada to be near family there.

It was while in Las Vegas, on March 23, 1999, that Bea lost the love of her life Walter to cancer at the age of 65. Once again her strength was tested. She often spoke of how much she missed him. She later left Las Vegas with her daughter Doris, and lived in Newport News, VA before finally returning home to Vermont in 2006.

Bea was a fiercely independent woman. She loved her little apartment at Tilden House. She filled her days volunteering at the Benefit Shop in Barre, and assisting her son Paul, who had multiple sclerosis, when he needed a hand or a ride somewhere. She loved to walk – and you would see her all over the city. As her health started to decline she had to give up doing these things she loved. She was a participant at Project Independence for a brief time. Her time spent there helped transition and prepare her for the next phase of her life.

Bea was a resident at the Riverbend Residential Care Home in Chelsea, VT for 5 years. It turned out she had lots of fond memories of Chelsea – she said that as a kid her parents would take her there for all kinds of festive dances, dinners, etc. She said it was a ‘hopping’ place back then. In the summer she would walk with other residents to the common. She loved the summer farmer’s market, and the Donut Lady was her favorite. She loved to tell the other residents about Barre granite, and all the history there. Sharing memories, and stories with her housemates was a favorite past time of hers. She also volunteered/took over folding the laundry – and you better not let her catch you doing her job because she would let you know! As her health declined she gave it up with grace, “It’s somebody else’s turn now” she said. She left her mark on the Riverbend and the staff loved her dearly.

As her health declined to the next level, she became a resident at Menig Nursing Home and was there nearly 3 years – all of it during the pandemic. Once again the staff was taken with her – they loved her fierce independence (as scary as it was at times!). Her time at Menig was peaceful and comforting.

Bea leaves behind her daughter Jean and husband Frank Ellis of Barre, Vermont; daughter Doris and husband Christopher Pate of Newport News, Virginia; son Donald Tenney and husband Mark Dion of Las Vegas, Nevada; her grandchildren Amanda, Shannon, and Andrew; and many nieces and nephews.     She was predeceased by her husband Walter; her son Paul; her sister Maybell “Toot” Bell; her brothers John LaHue, Harold Ditchum, Joseph Ditchum, and Donald Ditchum.

The family would like to extend its deepest appreciation to the Riverbend Residential Care Home and Menig Nursing Home. Both cared for her so compassionately, with humor and love, during the last years of her life. We will be forever grateful for everything you did for Bea.

Calling hours and burial arrangements will be published at a later date.

Contributions may be made in Bea’s memory to any Alzheimer’s, Diabetes, or Cancer organization of your choice; or to any charity serving our Elders.