Mary Bernice (Barton) Rockman, 89, of Lake Ariel, PA, passed away Wednesday at home surrounded by her children. Her husband of 61 years was John N. Rockman who died in January 2018.
Bernice was born on September 20, 1929, in Sprott, AL, and, daughter of the late Arthur Lee and Margarette Rinehart Barton, after she moved north, people commented on her southern drawl until her passing. She graduated from Perry County High School in Marion, AL. She graduated from Judson College with a double major in history and sociology. She worked for the state welfare department for five years as a caseworker, child welfare worker-in-training, and county welfare director. During this period, she received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Tennessee. As part of her Master’s thesis, she wrote the exam that all social worker’s must pass in order to obtain their license. In 1985, she started working as a social worker for Head Start of Paterson, NJ. This job opportunity coincided with the kids heading off to college.
She was very involved with scouts acting as den mother and council commissioner for the Boy Scouts and troop leader, trainer, community chairperson, and cookie chairperson for the Girl Scouts. In 1981, she was named Scouter of the Year by the Lenni Lenape Girl Scout Council of Passaic County, NJ. Bernice was a Sunday school teacher and VBS volunteer for many years at United Methodist Church of Wayne in Wayne, NJ. After moving to PA, she became a member of Lakeville United Methodist Church in nearby Lakeville, PA. She was not prejudiced, however, and loved to participate in pancake breakfasts, dinners, and teas at many local churches. She also served on the auxiliary at the Lake Ariel Volunteer Fire Department. Once she was old enough, the Senior Site of Hamlin, PA, became her favorite place for lunch during the week.
Mom was a fierce advocate for her kids and encouraged them to do their best in all endeavors. She worked to give them as many opportunities as possible including music lessons, dance lessons, swim lessons, tennis lessons, shooting lessons, scout camp, sports – even when her daughter wanted to play boys’ soccer because there was no girls’ soccer league – trips to NYC for visits to museums and Broadway plays such as Peter Pan with Sandy Duncan. Also, for several years, she helped dad run the concession truck for the Wayne Boys Club where the girls were cheerleaders and the boys played football and basketball. One could also call her a head zookeeper as she guided the kids in caring for the multitude of pets and strays the kids brought home including, but not limited to raccoons, snakes, lizards, skunks as well as the more common animals.
Bernice’s hobbies included reading, making homemade strawberry jam, making holiday fruitcake (the scent of which could make you drunk), knitting, crocheting, and sewing Daisy Kingdom dresses for her granddaughters.
She is survived by her children Mary Margarette Rockman, Frederick Allen Rockman, Adelia Beth (Rockman) Soulje, and Nicolaus Charles Rockman and her grandchildren Nicolaas Gregory Soulje, Nathanael Thomas Soulje and his wife Emma, Adelia Earline Soulje, and Alicia Nicole Soulje
A memorial service will be held Sunday afternoon, November 18, at 3:00pm at Lakeville United Methodist Church, 431 Purdytown Turnpike, Lakeville, PA 18438. A graveside service will be held in the spring at Heiberger United Methodist Church in Heiberger, AL.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the James Wilson Funeral Home, Lake Ariel.
Cremation took place in the Lake Region Crematory, Lake Ariel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heiberger Cemetery Fund, 3443 Jericho Road, Marion, AL 36756.
To send the family an online condolence visit www.jameswilsonfuneralhome.com.