Bronislawa Szupica

Bronislawa Szupica (1926 - 2018) Bronias story is one of great courage, determination and faith. Twice in her life, she left everything which was familiar and moved, hoping for a better life. First, at the age of 19 in January of 1946, she left her village (which after WWII became Belorussian) to travel into Poland. Secondly, again in January, of 1966, she left Poland to emigrate to America. Wherever she found herself, she worked tirelessly to make it a home. As a young girl, there was hard farm work, but she made sure that there were beautiful flowers growing in the front of the family home. Later in Poland, immediately after her arrival, she helped some distant relatives with their farm work, and after moving to Szczecin she worked in a millinery shop, learning how to sew caps for school and military uniforms. Then she started telecommunications training, which was interrupted by marriage, children, and several moves throughout Poland. She worked diligently, tending to her family, dealing with the constant shortages of foodstuffs and consumer goodsthe reality of the 1950s and 1960s Poland. Many hours each week were taken up by waiting in line, even in the brutal cold of winter, to procure something for the dinner table. After arriving in the U.S., moving into her own house, she became an unstoppable force. She planted a garden, kept an immaculate house, reveled in growing her beloved dahlias (even entering them in a show and earning first place!). But she didnt stop there: she was an expert seamstress, she crocheted, knit intricate patterns, and her table groaned with an abundance of home-made delicacies…and Mama Szupicas pickles were prized by many lucky recipients. In addition to this, she held a job as a custodian at the (then) Marine Bank, where she met many other Polish ladies, who though now mostly gone, became life-long cherished friends. She and Dad belonged to the Polish American Club, attended church first at SS. Cyril and Methodius, and later at Our Lady Queen of Peace. Her paczki contributed to their annual parish festival disappeared as fast as they arrived! She was generous with people she knew as well as strangers. She doted on her grandchildren, rejoiced with each new arrival and she lived long enough to bless her two great-grandchildren. She was always thankful to her benefactors and tried to share in her good fortune. She sent many care packages to relatives in Poland, donated to many charities, and supported several missionary charities. She loved reading, especially Polish and French classic literature. She enjoyed movies, an occasional symphony concert, and live performances by visiting Polish artists. Then, much later, she became my fathers caretaker, and then his indefatigable visitor while he resided at the nursing home. Throughout her life, she was an observant and devout Catholic and her life was enriched by the church traditions, celebrations and devotions. Her faith gave her the courage to live through the horrors of the Second Word War, the loss of family members and friends, and through many hardships of life. So, it was a blessing in the final years of her life to attend daily Mass, receive Holy Communion, and say the rosary when she found herself in the care of the Dominican sister at St. Ann Rest Home. We loved her well and wish her peace for eternity. May flights of angels take her to her rest. Visitation at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE (3222 S. 29th St.) (street parking only) on Friday, July 13, 8 AM-9 AM with Mass of Christian Burial at 9 AM. Entombment St. Adalbert Cemetery. A very special thank you to Dominican Sisters and Staff at St. Ann Rest Home for their compassionate and dedicated care. Memorials appreciated to St. Ann Rest Home.