Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, Thursday, January 3, 2019. Beloved wife of the late Richard Capelli; loving mother of Denise (Jim) Kummer, Lisa
(Dennis) Schneider, Rick (Rosie) Capelli and Kathy (Joe) Coyle; adoring grandmother of Tim (Christina), Mike, Derek, Leigh, Matt, Claire, Morgan and Gareth; dear great-grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and friend.
Services: Visitation at Seven Holy Founders Catholic Church, 6737 S. Rock Hill Rd., Monday, January 7, 9 a.m. until the funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Interment J.B. National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Delmar Gardens South Employee Christmas Fund in appreciation of the staff that took such great care of her. A KUTIS AFFTON service.
Bernice Capelli was a loving and beautiful person born January 24th, 1927 in St. Louis, MO to Elizabeth and Albert Swinferd. Her childhood and early adolescence were spent in Sparta, IL. The experience of the Great Depression taught her frugality and to value what you had. She lost her father as a teenager and moved back to St Louis with her mother. She valued education, graduating from Hadley Technical College. Her secretarial skills were employed at the Red Cross during WWII where she earned a service pin. The war brought her together with an Army soldier, Richard Capelli whom she met while he was on leave. They married on June 24th, 1950 at St. Vincent De Paul Church.
They settled in Affton, MO where they would remain for more than fifty years, becoming members of Seven Holy Founders Church. She always reminded us she had the money saved for the house’s down payment. She was a devoted wife and became the mother to four children, raising them in a two bedroom house. Her children were her world and she made sure they all had a great education. As an avid reader she taught by example. She was engaged in their school and activities. She helped with homework and also was never too busy to listen and counsel.
Bernice returned to work at St. Louis Public Schools Curriculum Services department. She retired from there and spent many years traveling in Europe with her husband meeting extended relatives.
She was blessed with eight grand-children whom she adored. It became clear her grand-kids could do no wrong at least not while in her care. She and grandpa attended their sports games, plays and recitals with pleasure. She babysat and gave them unconditional love.
Bernice battled Alzheimer’s for many years but she kept a positive attitude. A strong and loving woman until the end came on January 3, 2019. We are so blessed to have called you “Mom”.
The family invites you to join them at Pasta House at 6214 S Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63123 after the burial around 1pm.