Bernice Jay Obituary

BERNICE TENN JAY Bernice Tenn Jay passed away at home on February 7, 2026 after having led an eventful life of 103 years. She was a Mom to four children, one hanai daughter and wife to an internationally recognized martial arts husband. She always welcomed visitors to her home offering food, laughter and a warm welcome She will be remembered by many as one who gave of herself. Born on January 11, 1923 to Dee Hing Tenn Sr and Mary Sniffen in deepest Kohala, Hawaii, where she grew up and later moved to Honolulu. She excelled in all sports-volleyball, softball, and especially basketball. After marrying Wally Jay, she took up Judo in 1944 in Honolulu. She first learned from Wally, Tony Gonzales, Moon Watanabe, Wallace Takabayashi and Professor Henry Okazaki, earning her black belt in 1947 and her second-degree black belt in 1949. This was very unusual for a woman of her time. She later earned her third-degree black belt in Judo, and may be best remembered for the restorative massage work she learned under Okazaki. In 1950, Bernice, Wally and family moved to Alameda, California and later bought a house where Wally built a small dojo for Jiujitsu and Judo. They traveled the world together when Wally taught martial arts in thirty-seven countries. Many well-known martial arts figures studied with Wally, including Bruce Lee, who became a good friend to them. Pre-deceased by her husband of 71 years Wally and daughter Antoinette. She is survived by her daughter Alberta Jay, sons Alan (Pam) Jay and Leon (Sandra) Jay, and hanai daughter Winona Perdum, 7 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. At her request, only a private family memorial was held.