Berneice B. Mast

BERNEICE IRENE (BOSWELL) MAST, 86 Born in Bowie, Maryland on September 13, 1928, Berneice passed away Thursday, June 18, 2015. Daughter of the late Albert L. and Irene L. (Deutsch) Boswell, she was a resident of Greenbelt, Maryland since 1956. Mrs. Mast was a graduate of Bowie High School, Class of 1945. Working as a secretary, she retired after 42 years of federal service with the FBI, DC government's Glenn Dale Hospital and Forest Haven. She was a member of St. Hugh's Catholic Church. Berneice enjoyed spending time with her beloved grandchildren, touring the U.S. and Canada, and was a long-time avid Washington Capitals fan and season ticket holder. She was a gifted seamstress who excelled in quilt making and cross-stitch. Berneice was the loving mother of Deborah (Dennis) Bakaysa of Clayton, North Carolina, and Thomas (Cynthia) Mast of Bowie, Maryland; and her grandchildren Mary, Nicole, James, and Billy Bakaysa, and Ryan Mast. She is preceded in death by former husband, Curtis "Corky" McBride Mast and sister-in-law Barbara (Mast) Thornberry. Survivors include her sisters Myrtle (the late Rocky) Vargo of Orlando, Florida, Doris (the late Fred) Schneider of Denton, Maryland, and Rita (Emory) Kelley of Clements, Maryland. She is also preceded in death by sisters Margaret (Clarence) Kerns, and Louise (Paul) Kerns; brothers Anthony (Lillian) Boswell, and Martin (Catherine) Boswell. Six great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews also survive, in addition to a precious caregiving friend, Elizabeth Parrish.