Bernice ("Bunny") Hulsizer, Urbana, was born in South Berwick, Maine, on September 28, 1918. She had two younger siblings, both deceased. In 1940, she married Robert Hulsizer, and they were later divorced. She was a homemaker for many years, and later worked for 20 years as a librarian at the University of Illinois.

Bunny's children will host a gathering to celebrate her life on Friday, May 4th, from 4 - 7 p.m. at Bunny's house. On Saturday, May 5th at 2 p.m., there will be a memorial mass at Canterbury House, next to the Chapel of St. John the Divine, 1011 S. Wright St., Champaign, followed by a reception.

Her children are Steve Hulsizer, married to Elsie Ehlers, of Seattle, Ann Wymore of Urbana and Jemez Springs NM, Morgan Jenkins, married to Bill Jenkins, of Fredericksburg VA, and Cynthia Hulsizer, married to Bob Bernahl, of Philo.

Grandchildren are Adam Wymore of Sacramento CA, Sarah Jenkins of Watertown MA, and Robin Jenkins of Great Falls, MT.

Bunny was born to a poor and uneducated family in Maine, and put herself through Bates College during the Depression, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. This achievement indicates the great drive and motivation that was a defining part of her character.

As a child and young adult, she was scared of the water and did not know how to swim. Around age 40, she decided it was time to learn, and she ended up teaching deep water aerobics for years. She had a big following. Still teaching at age 80, she was a living legend at the Urbana Park District.

Bunny married prior to WWII and lived in the Boston area during the war years. Her first two children were born there. She moved to Champaign-Urbana in 1949, where the third and fourth children were born. She was divorced in the mid-sixties.

After being a stay-at-home mom for 20 years, she launched a new career, going back to school and becoming the Physics and Astronomy librarian at the University for another 20 years. Her retirement party was SRO, and it was a blast.

About the time she started her new career from scratch, she realized a long held dream of becoming Episcopalian. She became an active member of The Chapel of St. John the Divine, and served the parish in several capacities over many years. She was admired there for her common sense, her loyalty, her leadership, and her ability to "tell it like it is."

She was known for her boundless energy; in fact, her children often referred to her as "The Energizer Bunny." She threw great parties: sometimes elegant sit-down dinners for 12 or more, and sometimes parties where you couldn't have squeezed a gnat in between the guests. The food was always top flight, and the good wine flowed. Her Christmas cookies and breads will be sorely missed by all.

Bunny will be remembered as one-of-a-kind who made a clear mark on her world. She had a lot to be proud of.

Memorial Contributions can be made in the following ways: A donation to the Chapel Completion Fund of the Chapel of St. John the Divine, 1011 S. Wright St., Champaign, IL 61820; a donation to The Friends of WILL, 300 N. Goodwin, Urbana, IL 61820; or by taking a friend to the polls and voting democratic.

Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.