Bernice Nowill

1924 - 2017

AGAWAM - Bernice (Quick) Nowill, 93, died Thursday after a short illness surrounded by her loving family.  She was born in Cullman, Alabama and has lived in Agawam for many years. As a member of the Agawam First Baptist Church for more than 75 years.  Bernice lived a life of service dedicated to her church and her family. She was a great support for her friends and family throughout her lifetime.  Bernice was an organizer and volunteer for the Trading Post, and was always the first to step in to help out at any and all events held by her beloved church. For many years she prepared and served meals at Loaves & Fishes, providing hot meals to people and families in need.  She also prepared and sold chowder at the Big E in order to contribute to the church's mortgage payments and secure the future of the church. Bernice was family oriented and raised her beloved daughter, Martha, in Agawam.  When Martha died tragically in a car accident, Bernice stepped in to fill the void left for her grandchildren despite her great despair.  Bernice took great delight in her great grandchildren and could light up a room with the smile she had for them.  She loved to travel with her husband and would laugh when saying her travel was "always driving - never flying." Everyone who knew her was charmed by her loving, giving spirit as well as her soft southern accent that she never lost even after decades as a New Englander.  She had abundant friends and celebrated with many of them at Storrowton Tavern for her 90th birthday.  She was always known for her generosity and her infectious spirit of positivity.  Bernice remained in her own home for the duration of her life largely because of the support of some remarkable people including Brenda and Allison of Home Instead, her niece Carlene Nowill, who was steadfast in her love and companionship for her Auntie Bea, and her son-in-law, Michael Dinneen, and daughter-in-law, Maggie Dinneen, who worked tirelessly with doctors and insurance companies to ensure that her wish to remain at home was realized. Bernice was predeceased by her parents John Teddy Quick and Maude Quick (Wilbank), her sisters Frances (Odell) Goodwin, Glennis Gossett, and Marcell (Bob) Hale, her husband Donald A. Nowill and her daughter Martha Dinneen (Sharritt). She leaves behind her grandchildren Gillian (David) Dessis-Dinneen of Niskayuna, NY, Gavin Dinneen of Schenectady, NY and Graeme (Celia) Dinneen of Malta, NY, four great grandchildren Natalie, Nolan, Ciaran and Rory, her brother Ted Quick of Agawam, her sister Janice Griffith of Alabama, her son-in-law Michael (Maggie) Dinneen of Malta, NY, her niece Carlene Nowill of West Springfield and several other nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be Wednesday at 11 am at the Agawam Baptist Church. Calling hours at the Agawam Curran-Jones Funeral Home, 745 Cooper Street, will be Tuesday 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Memorial donations may be made to the Agawam Baptist Church, 760 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. For more information please go to curranjones.com .

Bernice Nowill

1924 - 2017

AGAWAM - Bernice (Quick) Nowill, 93, died Thursday after a short illness surrounded by her loving family.  She was born in Cullman, Alabama and has lived in Agawam for many years. As a member of the Agawam First Baptist Church for more than 75 years.  Bernice lived a life of service dedicated to her church and her family. She was a great support for her friends and family throughout her lifetime.  Bernice was an organizer and volunteer for the Trading Post, and was always the first to step in to help out at any and all events held by her beloved church. For many years she prepared and served meals at Loaves & Fishes, providing hot meals to people and families in need.  She also prepared and sold chowder at the Big E in order to contribute to the church's mortgage payments and secure the future of the church. Bernice was family oriented and raised her beloved daughter, Martha, in Agawam.  When Martha died tragically in a car accident, Bernice stepped in to fill the void left for her grandchildren despite her great despair.  Bernice took great delight in her great grandchildren and could light up a room with the smile she had for them.  She loved to travel with her husband and would laugh when saying her travel was "always driving - never flying." Everyone who knew her was charmed by her loving, giving spirit as well as her soft southern accent that she never lost even after decades as a New Englander.  She had abundant friends and celebrated with many of them at Storrowton Tavern for her 90th birthday.  She was always known for her generosity and her infectious spirit of positivity.  Bernice remained in her own home for the duration of her life largely because of the support of some remarkable people including Brenda and Allison of Home Instead, her niece Carlene Nowill, who was steadfast in her love and companionship for her Auntie Bea, and her son-in-law, Michael Dinneen, and daughter-in-law, Maggie Dinneen, who worked tirelessly with doctors and insurance companies to ensure that her wish to remain at home was realized. Bernice was predeceased by her parents John Teddy Quick and Maude Quick (Wilbank), her sisters Frances (Odell) Goodwin, Glennis Gossett, and Marcell (Bob) Hale, her husband Donald A. Nowill and her daughter Martha Dinneen (Sharritt). She leaves behind her grandchildren Gillian (David) Dessis-Dinneen of Niskayuna, NY, Gavin Dinneen of Schenectady, NY and Graeme (Celia) Dinneen of Malta, NY, four great grandchildren Natalie, Nolan, Ciaran and Rory, her brother Ted Quick of Agawam, her sister Janice Griffith of Alabama, her son-in-law Michael (Maggie) Dinneen of Malta, NY, her niece Carlene Nowill of West Springfield and several other nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be Wednesday at 11 am at the Agawam Baptist Church. Calling hours at the Agawam Curran-Jones Funeral Home, 745 Cooper Street, will be Tuesday 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Memorial donations may be made to the Agawam Baptist Church, 760 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. For more information please go to curranjones.com .