Born on Dec. 7, 1910, in West Louisville, Ky., Mary Etta was the daughter of Edward and Ursula Smith Hayden. She began her early schooling in the grade school at Mount Saint Joseph Academy in 1917. At that time, she remained for three years as a student and made her First Holy Communion. Mary Etta returned to the Academy for her high school years and graduated with honors in 1929. The following September, she entered the novitiate, but returned home in February to undergo surgery. Four months later, Mary Etta returned to the novitiate and on August 15, 1930, received the Ursuline habit and the name Sister Mary Bernice.
Novitiate life for Sister Mary Bernice was filled with the usual activities and studies. She became ill with pneumonia on September 24, 1931. Although the physician had pronounced her condition improved, in mid-afternoon of October 7, she suddenly became unconscious. The doctor was unable to revive her. She received the sacrament of Extreme Unction, but was unable to make her vows.
Sister Mary Bernice’s funeral took place on October 5, 1931. Father Francis J. Smith, her uncle, celebrated the Requiem Mass. Father James Whelan, chaplain, gave the sermon and final absolution. Sister Mary Bernice is buried in the convent cemetery. Among her survivors were her Ursuline sister, Sister Francis Joseph, and her brother, Brother Otto, CSC.