Bernice Rose Jean "Bunny"

Bernice passed away Thursday, March 24, 2022, at her residence with her family by her side at the age of 95 years. She was born in Bay City on April 20, 1926, to the late Lawrence and Anna (Porier) Ayotte. On February 15, 1947, Bernice married Joseph F. Jean and he passed away on September 20, 2014, after 67 years of marriage. Bernice was a longtime member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish/St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church. In her spare time, she enjoyed traveling, camping, knitting, crocheting and sewing. Most of all she loved playing cards and spending time with her family and friends.
Bernice is survived by her children, Roger (Margaret) Jean, Allen (Joann) Jean, David (Debra) Jean, James (Joyce) Jean, Beverly (Bernard) Murphy, Barbara (Jerome) Swiecicki and Dale Jean; thirty grandchildren; sixty-four great grandchildren; twenty-nine great great grandchildren; sister, Virginia Martindale; sister-in-law, Patricia Ayotte and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by her son, John (Catherine) Jean; grandsons, Michael, Andy and Robert Jean; granddaughters, Brittany and Ashley Jean; great grandsons, Paul Joseph Jean, Justin Jean, Alexander Lawrence and Laramie Fowler; brothers, Richard and Robert Ayotte; sisters, Gloria Piette, Rosemary (Douglas) Dauer, Audrey (Harold) Sampier and Catherine Bradley; mother and father-in-law, Frank and Clara Jean; brother and sister-in-law, Lee (Alice) Jean; sister and brother-in-law, Margaret (Morris) Heck; brother-in-law, Raymond "Dude" McIntyre.
Funeral liturgy and committal will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at St. Catherine of Siena Parish. The celebrant will be Rev. Fr. James Wm. Bessert with interment in Floral Gardens Cemetery. Friends may visit at the Gephart Funeral Home on Monday, March 28, 2022, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Mrs. Jean will be taken to the church to lie in state from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Contributions may be made to St. Catherine of Sienna Parish. For online condolences visit www.gephartfuneralhome.com