Obituary for Berniece Emily Nagy
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Berniece Emily Nagy (Zak) on February 18, 2022, at the age of 95 after a short stay at Hogarth Riverview Manor.
Berniece was born, October 14, 1926, on a farm NW of Esterhazy Saskatchewan, to John & Sophie (Niemiec) Zak. She was the youngest of the 8 children.
Berniece had many talents: she was adventurous, sensitive, hard working and musical. In her younger years while on the farm, she named her pet farm animals, play the accordion, guitar, sing with the family, took care of the farm chores, and helped her mother, even when everyone had married and left to start their own family. In 1950 she travelled to Winnipeg to learn how to sew. Moving onto Thunder Bay (Fort William) in 1952, Berniece married Louis Albert and they resided in Thunder Bay their whole married life.
Cherished by all who knew her Mom was described as a kind, sweet, compassionate, caring woman while raising 4 busy active children, Berniece demonstrated her commitment to her community as a dedicated volunteer with numerous organizations over the years. She was a member of the Catholic Women’s League where she would be volunteer for tea events and colour guard at the church. Berniece supported Brownies and Girl Guides both as a leader and expediter of the annual Cookie drive. Berniece was an entrepreneur as a professional seamstress who sewed for friends, family, neighbours but also provided Corpus Christi Church with baptismal shawls for those getting baptised. You would find her selling car raffle tickets in every mall with Dad, so he would not be there alone. Berniece loved to bake as well. Her Christmas tea ring, poppy seed buns and lemon souffle were amazing. We still pass around her recipes. She was a proud member of the Port Arthur Curling Club, where she enjoyed playing the skip position for her team in the winter.
Berniece was the backbone of the family, a strong and unwavering woman. She was much loved by all her nieces, nephews, friends, and she attributed her longevity to eating 3 meals a day at the right time, take naps and laugh. Berniece knew the right from wrong, how to be proper, and made sure we followed the same. In public – she would not say a word ever. But when we got home the real Berniece came out.
Left to miss her greatly are her children Donna (Thelma Wilkins), Vivian (Rick Auger), Brian (Pierre Maisonneuve) and Lou (Sherry Warren); her grandchildren Suzanne (Craig Blanchard), Stephanie (Landon Worrell), Ricky (Courtney Hall), Brett (Teanna Dafeo), Justin and her great-grandchildren Noah, Nathan & Emily.
Berniece now has been reunited with her husband Louis predeceased in 2015 and by her parents Sophie and John Zak, and her siblings Ann (Joe Nagy), Frank (Emily Lomenda), Caroline (Frank Swejda), Laddie (Vilma Junek), Adolph (Marion Havelick ), John (Alma Havelick), Joe (Angela).
A service to celebrate Berniece’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on March 3, 2022 in the chapel of Sargent and Son Funeral Home, 21 N. Court St. with Rev. Victor DeGagne officiating. Those wishing to attend virtually may do so on Sargent & Son Funeral Home Facebook page. Online condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
Friends who so desire are respectfully asked to donate to the St Joseph's Care Group, where a very caring team of nurses and health professionals ensured that her final days were as comfortable and as dignified as possible. A special thanks to Cooks Apartment Support Staff for the heartfelt care. For that we will always be thankful. Alternatively, donations to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Rest in peace Berniece. You will be loved and remembered and missed always.
Berniece was born, October 14, 1926, on a farm NW of Esterhazy Saskatchewan, to John & Sophie (Niemiec) Zak. She was the youngest of the 8 children.
Berniece had many talents: she was adventurous, sensitive, hard working and musical. In her younger years while on the farm, she named her pet farm animals, play the accordion, guitar, sing with the family, took care of the farm chores, and helped her mother, even when everyone had married and left to start their own family. In 1950 she travelled to Winnipeg to learn how to sew. Moving onto Thunder Bay (Fort William) in 1952, Berniece married Louis Albert and they resided in Thunder Bay their whole married life.
Cherished by all who knew her Mom was described as a kind, sweet, compassionate, caring woman while raising 4 busy active children, Berniece demonstrated her commitment to her community as a dedicated volunteer with numerous organizations over the years. She was a member of the Catholic Women’s League where she would be volunteer for tea events and colour guard at the church. Berniece supported Brownies and Girl Guides both as a leader and expediter of the annual Cookie drive. Berniece was an entrepreneur as a professional seamstress who sewed for friends, family, neighbours but also provided Corpus Christi Church with baptismal shawls for those getting baptised. You would find her selling car raffle tickets in every mall with Dad, so he would not be there alone. Berniece loved to bake as well. Her Christmas tea ring, poppy seed buns and lemon souffle were amazing. We still pass around her recipes. She was a proud member of the Port Arthur Curling Club, where she enjoyed playing the skip position for her team in the winter.
Berniece was the backbone of the family, a strong and unwavering woman. She was much loved by all her nieces, nephews, friends, and she attributed her longevity to eating 3 meals a day at the right time, take naps and laugh. Berniece knew the right from wrong, how to be proper, and made sure we followed the same. In public – she would not say a word ever. But when we got home the real Berniece came out.
Left to miss her greatly are her children Donna (Thelma Wilkins), Vivian (Rick Auger), Brian (Pierre Maisonneuve) and Lou (Sherry Warren); her grandchildren Suzanne (Craig Blanchard), Stephanie (Landon Worrell), Ricky (Courtney Hall), Brett (Teanna Dafeo), Justin and her great-grandchildren Noah, Nathan & Emily.
Berniece now has been reunited with her husband Louis predeceased in 2015 and by her parents Sophie and John Zak, and her siblings Ann (Joe Nagy), Frank (Emily Lomenda), Caroline (Frank Swejda), Laddie (Vilma Junek), Adolph (Marion Havelick ), John (Alma Havelick), Joe (Angela).
A service to celebrate Berniece’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on March 3, 2022 in the chapel of Sargent and Son Funeral Home, 21 N. Court St. with Rev. Victor DeGagne officiating. Those wishing to attend virtually may do so on Sargent & Son Funeral Home Facebook page. Online condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
Friends who so desire are respectfully asked to donate to the St Joseph's Care Group, where a very caring team of nurses and health professionals ensured that her final days were as comfortable and as dignified as possible. A special thanks to Cooks Apartment Support Staff for the heartfelt care. For that we will always be thankful. Alternatively, donations to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Rest in peace Berniece. You will be loved and remembered and missed always.