Berniece E. Hower

Berniece Edith Hower, age 70, passed away on Thursday, February 24, 2022 surrounded by her husband (Douglas Hower) and daughter (Shari Hower). Berniece was born to Edith and Ralph Nyenhuis on February 1, 1952 in Trumansburg, NY. She went onto study ocean engineering at Florida Institute of Technology, yet ultimately chose a career as a Montessori pre-school teacher. In her 18 years of teaching, Berniece influenced numerous young lives (many of whom came back to visit and to thank her) and made a positive impact on so many families. She eventually retired to provide care for her mother and great aunts before their passing. Berniece and Douglas moved to Howey-In-The-Hills, Florida in 2017 where they found ‘second careers’ working seasonally for the Supervisor of Elections Office of Lake County. In addition, Berniece served on the Howey-In-The-Hills Planning and Zoning Board as she passionately loved the little town they had relocated to (minus the pocket gophers) and was a member of the Howey Garden and Civic Club and the American Montessori Society. Berniece has always given selflessly, with great compassion and kindness, to everyone around her and has brightened so many lives with her presence, caring and strength of spirit. Berniece is also survived by her two, younger sisters (Gail Blank of Houston, TX and Karen Nyenhuis of Las Cruces, NM), brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, her Aunt Dorothy, neighbors and many more extended family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Howey Community Church Food Panty or the In Memory campaign for Toys for Tots. Berniece donated regularly to the Howey Food Pantry which supports over 30 local families and also happily sought out toy sales year round to stockpile for the holidays for Toys for Tots. Online guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com . Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis, Florida.