Bernice "Bernie" Mascarenas

Our mother, Bernice Crespin Montoya Mascarenas (92) left this world on October 13, 2026.

In keeping with her survival spirit, she did not go without a fight! She and her twin brother were born in Silt, Colorado on November 21, 1933 to Dulcinea Aragon and Federico Crespin. While she loved Colorado and the siblings she left there, she said she found her heart in Carbon County. After her father's death, her mother moved Mom, her twin, and little sister to Utah to be near her older brother Joe Crespin and his family.

Mom loved all the friends from Carbon High and those from St. Anthony's Church. This was her base and she always felt that this was her true home. She married Benino Montoya in 1952. They had four children. He tragically lost his life in December of 1963 in a coal mine explosion leaving her with four children ranging in age from eight to two. She bought her first and only home on E street and learned to drive, fix up her old house, and relished in her accomplishments. Shet met and married Antonio Mascarenas a couple of years later and together they finished raising the four children and adopted and raised a granddaughter. Tony passed in August 1995. Mom again found herself alone but rallied again. She was still a vibrant and outgoing person and when asked if she would ever consider marriage again, she said "No, I'm too hard on husbands!"

Mom stayed active with her yard, which was always filled with flowers. She travelled to see her kids and snuck in several cruises. Santa Fe held a special place in her heart. Her maternal roots were established in the 1600's and her ancestors left an imprint that is shared in museums and state history. She volunteered at the Helper Mining Museum, St. Athony's Catholic Carnival, and as an election poll worker. Her Catholic faith, belief in democracy, and friends and family in Carbon County sustained her. She was proud of her children and grandchildren and always supported their furthering their education because she always regretted not having gone to nursing school. She loved school, but recounted her start in education with her twin brother. Her mother enrolled them in first grade when they were just five years of age, both were small in stature and left-handed. She spoke of this hard time, but used it to cultivate her love of learning and it led to a life-long love of reading until disease robbed her of her ability to see. Her journey motivated her grandson to become an eye doctor.

Mother liked dressing nicely; this is of importance because she was "raised poor" and did not have that advantage, so she made sure she was dressed properly and had her hair done. Her home and later her rooms at assisted living were decorated brightly with flowers and her beloved butterflies. Her door and rooms were always decorated with flower, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Her adopted daughter Terrie Saccomano made sure seasonal decorations were up and the candy dish had candy for visitors. She adored her books with her chocolates and continued to clean her own room and do her own laundry until that ability too was taken from her. Both were impeccably done and she said that no one could do this task better than she.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husbands and siblings. Delfina, Emma, Joe, Frank and Linda.

She is survived by her children and their spouses, Beckey (Mike), Patricia, Ben (Shelley), Lou (Nickole), Toni Marie (Sergio); six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She had so many wonderful nieces and nephews that she loved, cared for, and was equally proud of.

The family would like to thank all those that cared for her over the years. We are grateful to Patrick Fillingim from Castle Valley Funerals & Cremations for preparing Mom for her journey home. Mom was so thankful for her St. Anthony family and we thank Father and the lay workers who made sure she could practice her faith until the end.

Mass of Christian Burial, Friday, October 23, 2026, 10:00 a.m., St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Vigil service, Thursday evening, 7:00 p.m., St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Family will receive friends on Thursday and Friday one hour prior to service. Committal, Mt. View Cemetery, Helper. Arrangements are in the compassionate care of Castle Valley Funerals & Cremations where family and friends are always welcome and may share memories online at www.castlevalleyfunerals.com.