Ellen “Bernice” Veltri of Hermiston passed away in Hermiston on Oct. 11, 2022 at the age of 80.
She was born on Oct. 8, 1942 in Bristow, Okla. to William and Lorean Waller Rollins.
Bernice moved with her family from Oklahoma to Pueblo, Colo. at a young age. She grew up and attended schools in Pueblo, where she later graduated from high school. After high school, she attended beauty school and worked as a beautician for a time.
In the 1970s she moved to Long Beach, Calif., where she reunited with her childhood sweetheart, Amel Frank Veltri. The couple were united in marriage in the mid-1970s in Long Beach.
Bernice moved to Hermiston in 1978, where she had resided since that time to be closer to her family. She worked as a housekeeper in the Hermiston area for many years at area care facilities.
Bernice had a strong bond to her family and made them an important part of her life. She enjoyed cooking and bird watching and was very involved with Landmark Baptist Church for many years.
She is survived by a daughter, Lori (Leon) Scheel; grandchildren, Brittany (Gabe), Zacharias and Amel Frank Veltri III; great grandchildren, Hadley and Leo; sisters, Joyce Cress, Loretta Vickers and Eileen Robinson; brother, Doyle Elmer Rollins; and many nieces and nephews and extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Amel Frank Veltri; son, Amel Frank Veltri II; brothers, Marlin, Marvin and Clinton; and a sister, Geneva Choin.
A memorial service will be held at Landmark Baptist Church, 125 E. Beech Ave., Hermiston at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022.
A private burial will be in the Hermiston Cemetery.
Bernice’s family would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Avamere of Hermiston, to Taunya and Howard at Geneva House, and to the staff of Vange John Memorial Hospice for the loving care given to Bernice during her final days.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please go to burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
