Obituary of Bernice Alberta Matton
Obituary of Bernice Speed née Polnick
It is with great sadness that the family of Bernice Speed (Matton) announce her passing on November 11, 2025 in her 91st year. Bernice is remembered and loved by her son’s Christopher, Jeffery, Paul and wives Pamela, Yvonne, Michelle and grand children Wolfgang, Cody and Julia Crews, Gabriel, Drake, Stirling, Sasha and by her friend Gudrun (Goodie). Bernice was remarried to Emile Matton, who pre-deceased her.
Bernice was born in London on October 25 1934 to Albert and Joyce Polnick. Raised as an only child, she was deeply loved by both her mom and her dad, whom were in her thoughts even in her final days.
Bernice was a precocious, intellectual child who graduated from Catholic Central high school at the age of sixteen. In her youth, she studied opera and piano, fostering a deep passion for music and dancing, which stayed with her throughout her life. In her adult years, she sang in Church choirs with a beautiful contralto voice and enjoyed dancing at the German club.
Bernice met the challenge of raising three sons by utilizing her incredible intellect and determination to study at Brescia College and attained a degree in teaching from the University of Western Ontario. Bernice had a successful career as a business teacher and department head at Strathroy DC, Parkhill DC. She was a trailblazer in education spearheading innovative programs, introducing co-op programs which had not been done before and computer literacy into business applications. Bernice was not done there; she went on to attain a Master’s of Business degree from Queen’s University. Bernice was a wonderful mentor for her students, not just academically but also in their personal lives, prompting many to call her mom. Bernice was an advocate for many causes in the London community. She helped with fund raising for charities and received an award for her help with developing a battered women’s shelter. She was actively involved in politics as a member of the London executive of the Liberal Party. Her passion for politics and business remained with her throughout her life, devouring the newspapers and engaging in spirited conversations.
Bernice will be remembered for her courage, indominable spirit and joy for life, which enabled her to raise three sons as a single mother and face all the challenges that life presented. She always brought adventure to her son’s lives taking them fishing, camping, and venturing on trips to Cuba, Austria, Poland. She generously welcomed her son’s friends to the house. She industriously took her love of knitting, sewing and crafting to create a small business. She enjoyed nature with gardening and feeding the wild animal friends that came to visit her from the forest behind her home on Springbank drive. She lived her life like the character of Maria in her favorite musical, the Sound of Music. The songs she loved to sing reflected how she lived: “Climb every mountain until you find your dream”.
Bernice was supported by her wonderful neighbours on Springbank drive and the family are very grateful to them. In her final years, she became a member of the Mapleview retirement home community where she enjoyed friendship, from staff and residents. The family are grateful for the care and kindness she received which made her final two years happy.
Bernice was deeply loved by her sons, their wives, grandchildren, her friends and neighbours. Her passionate spirit will be celebrated through cherished and enduring memories. There can be no doubt that a more wonderful angel has entered heaven’s choir.
A Mass at the Lady of Czestochowa Polish Catholic Church and a memorial will happen at a later date.
