Genevieve Berzonsky

Genevieve Berezonsky,  98, of Johnstown, passed away at Windber Hospice on August 15, 2023. She was born on January 10, 1925 in Calonne Ricouart, a small town in northern France, to Stanislaus and Antoinette Dryacki. She met the love of her life, Nick, a Veteran of the US Army and Normandy Invasion, while working as a barmaid frequented by US soldiers. They married on Dec 24, 1945 in France. She came to the US in 1946, lovingly embraced  by the Berezonsky family, and became a US citizen in 1954. They lived in Cairnbrook where she was a neighbor to Catherine Haggerty, who would become her lifelong friend and "sister" for 75 yrs. She and Nick settled into their Belmont home in 1958. She is preceded in death by her husband, Nick in 2008. She is survived by brother-in-law, John (Oregon) and great niece, Myatina (France). She is also survived by her adopted nieces, Kathleen and Marie, who have cared for her in the last 4 years. Genevieve was given the name Ginka by Catherine's mother, a Polish version of Jenny. She was a seamstress at the Woodvale sewing factory for 23 yrs. She used her talents to sew special occasion dresses for family and friends and was most proud of the Prom dress she made for Joyce Lane. She and Nick loved to travel and returned to France many times. She and her "sisters" Catherine, Ann, and Judy went to Wildwood Beach every year. She was a generous but sassy lady loved by all. She was proud of her French and Polish heritage and loved her church. She and Catherine visited "old people" in Nursing homes every Sunday after Mass for over 20 years. Kathleen and Marie would like to thank Ginka's neighbors, John, Dianne, Sue, and Sandy for their care for Ginka. Also to Windber Woods and Windber Hospice for their care in the last 3 weeks. And a special thank you to Jessica Stockdill, who always came when Ginka called because she couldn't get her TV, phone, lights, or other gadgets to work and who brought her to all family functions. There will be a Mass on Saturday, August 19 at 10AM, with Viewing at 9AM at Our Lady Queen of Angels, Central City. Mass will be celebrated by Father Aron Maghsoudi. Entombment will be at the Richland Mosoleum followed by a luncheon at Anthony's Restaurant. Donations can be made to Windber Hospice in Genevieve's memory.

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