Bernice Augustyn

AUGUSTYN, BERNICE , 98, widow of Edward J. Augustyn, passed away in her 98th year at Oaklawn Rehab and Nursing Center, on Wednesday February 16th, 2012.

She had been a resident at Oaklawn for 29 months, where she was so lovingly cared for by everyone, especially the staff on EOT.

Bernice was one of eight children, born in Chicago in 1914 to Polish immigrant parents. She was a teenager when the Great Depression occurred and was forced to quit school in the 9th grade and go to work to help support the family. The dedication to her family was the hallmark of her life.

She and Edward were married in Chicago in 1940 and soon thereafter had two children, a daughter and a son. The family moved to Louisville in 1947 where Edward, along with three others started a gravure business called Southern Gravure Services. Along the way, Edward and Bernice were entrepreneurs in several other businesses, including Ten Pin Lanes, Salon La Bea, and Birchwood Liquors. Bernice did all of the bookkeeping for the businesses. She even co-partnered with her son and daughter-in law to won S & S Honda Sales where she worked as a bookkeeper until she was 83. Bernice, lovingly known to everyone as Nanny, will long be remembered for her fierce love and devotion to her family, her love of shopping and her generosity to family and friends.

We will always cherish memories of holidays and birthday celebrations with the table loaded with good foods she prepared. Some of her more famous dishes were her homemade tomato soup, crescent cookies, potato salad, and her Polish rendition of Easter Borscht!! Bernice and Edward were charter members of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church where she was a member to the end and were also charter members of Wildwood Country Club.

She was preceded in death by Edward in 2000 and her parents and siblings.

Survivors include one sister, Evelyn Ziaja; her children, Barbara Hammond (Tom) and Lawrence Augustyn (Mary); Grandchildren, Terry Sakach (Jim), Vicki Zeitz (Steve), Patrick Bax (Bridget), Amy Palcso (Matt) and great-grandchildren Nicholas Zeitz, Erica Bax, Patrick Bax, Greg Garrison, and little Cecelia Grace Palcso. She has one beloved sister-in law, Elizabeth Chrusciel, who also survives her, plus a whole host of nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express deep gratitude to the staff at Hosparus for their loving care and concern during our difficult time.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday at Ratterman's Funeral Home, 3711 Lexington Rd. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, February 24, 2012 at 12 noon at Our Lady of Lourdes Church with burial to follow at Cave Hill Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may go to Hosparus of Louisville or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. www.rattermans.com