Bronislawa "Bernice" Sofia (Pernal) Zajac

Bronislawa “Bernice” Sofia Zajac (nee Pernal), passed away on July 29, 2016 at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, in Torrington, CT.  She was the beloved wife of Bronislaw “Bruno” Zajac and devoted mother of Christopher and Irene Zajac.  She was aunt to 21 nieces and nephews.  Born in Milow, Poland on May 19, 1924, Bernice was daughter of the late Jan and Katarzyna (Drozd) Pernal.  Bernice lived in Torrington from 1958 where she  was employed by Bonnie Mills and later by The Torrington Company.  She was a long standing member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Polish Army Veterans.  A member of St. Mary Church Ladies Guild, she attended St. Mary Church and was a devout Catholic.  Bernice was predeceased by her parents, Jan and Katarzyna (Drozd) Pernal, Uzbekistan 1942; brother Maciej Pernal (1977) and sister Emilia Sroka (1980) in Poland; brother Wawzenienc Pernal (1994) and sister Helena Murawski (1995) in Windsor Ontario, Canada and sister Maria Pernal (2016) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  Her son, Christopher George Zajac died of cancer in 1998.  Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Bronislaw, daughter Irene and son-in-law, Roy Wnek.

Bernice was among those exiled from Poland to forced labor camps in Siberian forests in 1940.  In 1943, she sailed with her sisters Helena and Maria, to Kondoa Irangi a refugee camp in Tanganyika (Tanzania), where she lived until 1948.  She then migrated to Scotland where she married Bruno.  The couple settled in Torrington at 60 Roosevelt Avenue in 1958.  She was a talented cook and baker.  She enjoyed crocheting, gardening and loved children and dogs.  She was personally generous to all in need and welcomed all into her home.  Her humor, warmth and kindness will be dearly missed by all who knew her.  Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM on Thursday August 4, 2016, at Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St; Torrington, CT.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Church, 160 Main St., Torrington.  Burial will follow at St. Francis New Cemetery.