Bernice Luella (O'Leary) Nowlan, 87, of New Minas, died Tuesday, November 26, 2013 in Arbordale Seniors Care Home, New Minas. She was the daughter of Howard and Luella (Vance) O'Leary of White Rock, Kings County. She was born into a home that boasted the first indoor plumbing for miles around. The death of her father when she was two, and the strength of her mother in raising three children at the end of the depression years, instilled in her qualities of tenacity, resilience, loyalty and a fearless sense of self. Education was merely life to her. To finish high school she left home and boarded with strangers. A career with the Royal Bank spanned many years and many cities. Children and husband dictated the where and when but what she could, she controlled. She was engaged in the world beyond her horizon. This engagement was fuelled by reading and by travelling the world in the company of her husband. She opened her home equally to international dignitaries playing diplomacy and neighbourhood friends playing bridge. The odd stray person calling from the airport with her last dime was welcome. Skating was her way of moving and her mind continued to wander freely even as she found herself increasingly bound to a body that limited her. The final choice of where and when was hers. She is remembered by her husband Charles, by her children Randy, Christine, John and David, by her grandchildren Aileen, Gavin, Kelly, Owen, Jenna, Riley, Tyler and Kelsey, and by others too numerous to mention. You know who you are, and she loved you all. She was predeceased by brothers Charlie and Horace O'Leary. Cremation has taken place. There was no visitation, by request, The funeral service, followed by a reception, was held 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 29, 2013 in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, Reverend Doctor Barry Morrison officiating. Burial took place in the Gaspereau Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory may be made to the charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. On-line inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.