Bernice Mary Frances Banak McNamara, a resident of the Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Joseph Residence in Enfield, Ct. passed away. Bernice was born on Good Friday, April 15, 1938 in New Haven, CT. She was the daughter of late Benjamin and Stephanie Broczkowska Banak. Bernice leaves her sons Michael (Gail Marinuzzi) and Kenneth (Judy) McNamara and a daughter Ann (Glen) Morgan and Six grandchildren, Christina Arsenault, Ryan Megill, Alyssa D’Angelo, Carla and Matthew McNamara and Rocco Morgan. She also has 5 great grandchildren, Kayla and David Arsenault , Alivia Megill, Liliana and Gianna D’Angelo. She leaves her sister Stephanie Capodagli in North Haven and her brother Robert Banak from New Jersey. She was pre-deceased by her daughter-in-law Kathleen McNamara as well as her sister Cecelia Bednarczyk and Theresa Wamsley. Bernice loved the beauties of nature, flowers, the turning of leaves, the blue sky and sitting peacefully by the ocean or river. She loved music, movies, reading, and appreciated all the little things in life and was very thankful for all the good friends and her family who shared her life with her. Bernice worked as a Secretary in a few places. She especially enjoyed working as a Secretary in the former St. Stanislaus School and later at the church. She was the coordinator of the Small Christian Groups and was a Eucharistic Minister at the St Stanislaus for many years. She was a CCD teacher and a promoter of the Miraculous Medal. She was the President and later Treasurer for the St. Joseph Women’s Club in New Haven and was a member of the St. Stanislaus Social Club, also a member of the Council of Catholic Women in New Haven and an Associate of the Sister of the Holy Family in Monroe. She always gave thanks to God for everything. Her strong faith and love of God helped her throughout her life. She touched many people. The family would like to Thank everyone at St. Joseph and the Little Sisters of the Poor for their outstanding care our mom received in her final years.

Family and friends are invited to go directly to St. Stanislaus Polish Catholic Church, New Haven on Saturday morning, Sept. 3rd at 10:30 to attend a Mass of Christian burial and are also invited to attend the committal service immediately following in Beaverdale Memorial Park, New Haven.  In lieu of flowers, please honor Bernice by making a donation in her name to:  Little Sisters of the Poor – St. Joseph, 1365 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT. 06082.