Bernice Pauline Vasquez Chavez, age 81, passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at Parkdale Health and Rehab in Price, Utah.
Bernice was born on March 7, 1944 in Starkville, Colorado to Ruben and Dora (Gonzales) Vasquez. They later moved to Utah for the mining industry where they stayed. Bernice was the fifth of ten kids.
She met and married her first husband, Sigfred Padilla on December 11, 1962 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Helper, Utah. They had two beautiful children, “Siggy” and Pauline. Pauline passed away shortly after birth and Sigfred preceded her in death on October 10, 1964.
Bernice later moved to California and met the love of her life, “Jerry.” They were married on September 13, 1969 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bernice and Jerry moved back to Utah in the early 80’s where they decided to give life to their dreams of owning a family restaurant.
Bernice had a deep love and passion for cooking, baking, and creating family recipes that could be passed down through generations. “BJ’s Green Burrito,” was their heart that later became their home. Bernice and Jerry had a love of traveling the world together. They went on many adventures together including, Alaska, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., and many more; as well as multiple cruises together. After retirement, they decided to stay put at home where they could be surrounded by numerous loved ones and watch as their family grew. Jerry preceded Bernice in death on May 13, 2011.
Survived by her siblings, LeRoy and Julie Vasquez of Wichita, Kansas, Viola Loy of Kenilworth, Utah, Albert (Bonzo) and Orlinda Vasquez of Kenilworth, Utah, Della and Michael Gurule of Price, Utah, and Ruby Vasquez of Price, Utah; sister-in-law, Veronica Vasquez of Winchester, California; grandchildren, Robert Garcia of Salt Lake City, Utah, Issac Franks, Siggie Franks, and Brandi Franks all of Kentucky; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by her parents, Ruben and Dora (Gonzales) Vasquez; husbands, Sigfred Padilla and Jerry Chavez; son, Sigfred Padilla, Jr.; daughter, Bernice Padilla; and grandson, Tony Duran.
Vigil Service, Thursday, January 8, 2026, 7:00 p.m., Mitchell Funeral Home (233 East Main Street) in Price. The family will receive friends starting at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service. The Funeral Mass will take place the following day, Friday, January 9, 2026, 10:00 a.m., Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church (210 North Carbon Avenue) in Price. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the church starting at 9:00 a.m. Committal Service, Mt. View Cemetery in Helper.
Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Bernice online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net