Atkinson, NH: Bernice Clair (Joyce) Chavers, 85, a resident of Atkinson for the past fifty-years, died peacefully Wednesday. March 15, 2023 at Aspen Hill Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Haverhill, MA.

Born, raised and educated in Indianapolis, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late Marshall Joyce and Thelma (Brown) Joyce and graduated from Thomas Carr Howe High School with the Class of 1955.

Bernice moved to the area in 1972 and settled in Atkinson with her husband and raised her family in a warm, loving and inviting home where she enjoyed entertaining family and friends.

She was a longtime active member of the Atkinson Congregational Church, serving as a deacon and on various committees over the years. She was also a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a longtime member and Past-President of Chapter Q-NH of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO). She was employed locally as a secretary first for the Plaistow News and later Trinity House Camp and finally for the Atkinson Congregational Church until her retirement.

An avid reader, Bernice enjoyed poring over the daily newspapers, and also enjoyed gardening, quilting, trips throughout Europe and several cruises.  She was known far and wide as "Momcat" and loved all things feline, especially the cats she had over the years.

Predeceased in 2012 by her loving and devoted husband of fifty-four years, Richard Alan Chavers, she will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her daughter and son-in-law Lisa C. and David Ambrosio of Atkinson, her son and his longtime partner, David A. Chavers and Christine Marotte of Nashua, NH, a sister, Barbara Scott of Heltonville, Indiana, two grandchildren, Katy C. Ambrosio of Atkinson and her boyfriend, U.S. Air Force Sr. Airman Caleb Johnson of Luke AFB, Arizona, and Cheyenne V. Chavers of Dallas, Texas, a niece, Michelle Scott of Indiana, and her beloved feline companion, "Miss Daisy".

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Bernice's Life Celebration to be held on Friday, March 24, 2023, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main Street, Plaistow, NH. Her funeral will be held on Saturday at 11 in the Atkinson Congregational Church Main Street, Atkinson, NH. To send a message of condolence to the family or to share a precious memory, please visit: www.brooksidechapelfh.com .  In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to: Bridging the Horizon, 174 Porcupine Circle, Salem, NH 03079, or to Play Among the Stars Theatre Groupe, P.O.  Box 2222, Salem, NH 03079, or to Atkinson Congregational Church, Main ST., Atkinson, NH 03841.