Bernice Arlene (Bates) Rabideau formerly of Blandford died Dec. 30 after a period of declining health at Wingate of Needham. She was the wife of the late Harold James Rabideau to whom she was married for 57 years. She was born Jan. 19, 1925 in Stafford Springs, Connecticut.

She married her husband in January 1943. While Harold was serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Bernice worked at the Strathmore Paper Company where they made the paper that eventually was printed and became United States Currency

They moved to Blandford in 1954. During her nearly 60 years in the town, she raised her family.

She had many enormous gardens which she shared with her neighbors. She taught Sunday School and was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. She was a member of the Blandford Parent Teacher Association and participated in several of their productions. Bernice was the owner and operator of the Little White Duck Nursery School for many years where she encouraged creativity and a love of learning in many of the town’s children.

She also was Blandford’s reporter for the local newspaper.

During her senior years she was an officer and active member of the Council on Aging, going on trips, to dinners and other activities.

Among her many hobbies were knitting, crocheting, sewing, gardening and painting.

She leaves behind three daughters, Donna Arnold and her husband David of Riverton, Wyoming, Sandi Rosen and her husband Jack of Wareham and Nancy Radideau and her partner Steve Anzalone of Westwood.

Her grandchildren are Laura Lavallee, Lisa Squires and Benjamin Rosen.

Her stepgrandchildren are Tami Florek, Marla Rosen, and Lisa Melandro. Her great grandchildren are Courtney Chafer, Nathaniel Jordan, Freddie Rosen, David Rosen, Michelle Rosen and Ethan Azevedo.

Her step great-grandchildren are Lexi Florek, Jonathon Carabalo, Tyler Rosen, Olivia Santiago, Alanna Rosen and Jayden Rosen. She also has one step great-great-grandaughter, Scarlett Santiago.

She was pre-deceased by her parents Solomon and Jemima (Vickers) Bates, her husband Harold J. Rabideau, her brothers Leslie Bates, Allen Bates, and her sisters Corinne Bates, Cynthia Ellershaw, and Esther Mason. She is survived by her brother Silas J. Bates of Veradale, Washington.

Funeral arrangements are being co-ordinated by the Eaton Funeral Homes in Needham and the Firtion Adams Funeral Services in Westfield.

As per Bernice’s wishes her remains will be placed beside Harold’s in Russell, at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children online at www.shrinershospitalforchildren.org or Donor Development, 2900 North Rocky Point Drive, Tampa Florida, 33607.