Bernice Elizabeth McCabe

Bernice Elizabeth McCabe, 97, was born on June 3, 1926 in Hay Coulee, Montana to Stanley and Katharine (Lopatin) Kantorowicz. She passed away peacefully July 13, 2023, in her home in Muskogee, Oklahoma, with her loving family by her side. Bernice loved flowers, bird watching, and taking care of her home. Her passion was spending quality time with family and friends. Bernice began her education in a one-room schoolhouse in Montana. After graduating from high school, she earned a nursing degree and worked as a Registered Nurse for over 35 years until her retirement from the VA Hospital in Muskogee. Soon after beginning her nursing career, Bernice met and married Thomas B. McCabe on November 17, 1950. They moved numerous times before making their home in Muskogee in 1964. She was a faithful attendee of St. Joseph Catholic Church, an active volunteer in the church, and assisted with “Meals on Wheels” by working in the kitchen for many years. She is remembered by all as a kind, loving, compassionate lady who spent most of her life taking care of others. Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; her parents, Stanley and Katharine Kantorowicz; 14 sisters and brothers; daughter, Thomassina (McCabe) Graves and husband, Roger; and sons-in-law, Doyle Fullen and Joe Allen. Those left to cherish Bernice’s memories are her daughters, Janet Fullen of Fort Gibson, Oklahoma; Debbie Allen of Hectorville, Oklahoma; and Sharon (McCabe) Hobbs and husband, Russell, of Los Angeles, California; grandchildren, Jami Cotner and husband, Justin, their three children and families; Justin Fullen and his son of Fort Gibson, Oklahoma; Jason Fullen, his significant other, Bea Mize, and their children, all of Braggs, Oklahoma; children and families of Sharon (McCabe) Hobbs; children and families of Thomassina (McCabe) and Roger Graves; TJ Allen and children; and many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bernice’s name to St. Joseph Catholic School at 301 N. Virginia Muskogee, OK 74403. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at 10:30 am, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Muskogee with Father Richard Cristler Celebrant. Committal prayers and interment will follow at 12:30 pm at Fort Gibson National Cemetery with Justin Fullen, Jason Fullen, Shawn Fullen, Tyler Fullen, Justin Cotner, and TJ Allen serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Christopher Cotner and Garick McCombs. The family of Bernice Elizabeth McCabe has entrusted her care, services, and burial to Cliff & Carmen Garrett of Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home & Crematory, 1020 W Okmulgee Ave, Muskogee, OK 74401. (918) 910-8883. Online condolences may be left for Bernice’s family @ clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com

Bernice Elizabeth McCabe

June 3, 1926 - July 13, 2023