Bernice Marilyn Thetford, 63, 37-year resident of Oak Harbor, died July 31, 2003, at her home.

Mrs. Thetford was born Nov. 6, 1939, in Westwood, Calif., to Ole Skoog and Dorothy Fern (Kurtz) Skoog. She was raised in Medford, Ore., where she graduated from high school. She graduated from Southern Oregon College in Ashland, Ore., where she received a bachelor’s of science degree in medical technology. She also received a medical technician’s certificate from University of Oregon Health Sciences Center in Portland.

Sept. 14, 1963, Bernice married Oris Hannon Thetford in Medford. They moved to his various Navy duty stations, including California, The Philippines and eventually to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in 1976. She was a member of the Retired Officers Wives Club. She enjoyed sewing, traveling and being with her daughters. Bernice had a gift for interior decorating and was known by her family as very house-proud.

Bernice is survived by her two daughters, Jillene Stevenson and husband Don of Thousand Oaks, Calif. and Robyn Plute and husband Rob of North Bend; three grandchildren, Gwynne and Jack Stevenson and Kyle Plute; one brother, Warren Skoog and his wife, Zenda of Singapore; three nieces, Jeannie Brown of Eugene, Ore., Debbie Note and husband Mike of Medford, Ore., and Kim Wiedeman and husband Jerry of Issaquah; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Darrel and Pat Thetford of Central Point, Ore.; also, many other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband Oris on March 17, 2001, and by a nephew, Arik Skoog in November 2002.

A service of remembrance will be held at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 1 p.m., The Rev. John Lambert officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, in memory of Oris Thetford, c/o Jo Balda, treasurer, P.O. Box 345, Oak Harbor WA 98277. Arrangements and cremation under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.