Bernice Fern Hull

Bernice "Fern" Hull died peacefully October 13, 2005 with her granddaughter at her side. She was 89 years old. She was born October 11, 1916 in Macoupin County, Ill., near Modesto, on her family's farm. She remained in Macoupin County, living and working on farms in Palmyra, Virdin, and Girard, for the first 40 years of her long life. Fern married Dale Hull on Octboer 5, 1937, and the couple would stay together for the next 68 years. In 1956 the Hulls moved West to Prescott, Ariz., establishing a family presence in the town that remains today. She joined the staff of Prescott Junior High School's kitchen in 1964 and worked there until her retirement in 1974. After retirement, Fern volunteered for several years at Sacred Heart School in Prescott. She worked in her granddaughter Janis Barrett's kindergarten class. Fern had a lifelong love of sewing and square-dancing. She was known for her well-crafted quilts and afghans, which are treasured by her family and friends. In her later years she donated many baby quilts to Birthline and the Family Crisis Center in Prescott. The Hulls were charter members of the Mile High Square Dance Club, and Fern remained an avid dancer and club member until 2000 when illness forced her to stop. Fern is survived by her husband, three sons, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Her eldest son is Raymond Hull of Prescott, husband to Theresa Hull, father of Brian Hull of Boulder Creek, Calif., and Julie Amine of Salinas, Calif. Brian is father to David Hull. Her middle son is Roger Hull of Prescott, husband to Kathleen Hull, father of Janis Barrett of Prescott; Timothy Hull of Tubac; and Thomas Hull of Phoenix. Janis is mother of Grace, Claire, and Samuel Barrett. Her youngest son is Richard Hull of Prescott, husband to Donna Schmidt, father of Brandon Hull of Phoenix, and Drew Hull of Phoenix. Brandon is father to Dylan Hull. Fern is also survived by her younger and only sister, Norma Hartsook of Carlinville, Ill. Fern will be greatly missed by her family, and her influence will carry on through the generations to come.