Bernice Matczuk Kalisz, 88, of Arnettsville, passed away from cancer at her home with her loving daughter, Regina, by her side on Friday, July 16, 2021. Bernice was born in Knorydy, Poland, on Oct. 13, 1932, to the late Mickolai and Antonina Bazyluk Matczuk.
Bernice grew up during the Nazi occupation of Poland during World War II. When she came to America on Feb. 15, 1964, she was taken in by her Aunt Julia Tamaska, her father’s sister. It took three years to wait for a green card and passport. For the first six months, she did work and learned English by watching TV and her cousins, who would point to objects in a room. She also learned some English during a summer course at West Virginia University.
Bernice was a hard worker and loved being a seamstress, mending clothes for her friends and neighbors. Bernice could always be found doing yard work or caring for her family at home. She was devoted to her family and her Catholic faith.
Bernice worked various jobs: starting at Comuntzis as a cook, J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital as a janitor, Pickett’s Cleaners and Bill’s Cleaners as a seamstress, Hotel Morgan as a cook, Thomas Cleaners as a seamstress and Coni & Franc as a seamstress. She retired at the age of 67.
Bernice is survived by her daughter, Regina Kalisz, of Arnettsville; sisters, Helena Paszek and Jadzia; brother, Marian Matczuk; and many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Bernice was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Edward Kalisz; brothers: Janek Matczuk, Piotr Matczuk, Wacek Matczuk, Bolek Matczuk and Jacek Matczuk; sister, Wiktoria Matczuk; and a nephew, Phillip Kalisz.
Friends are invited to gather at McCulla Funeral Home, 770 Fairmont Road Morgantown, from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., Sunday, July 18. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 1 Guthrie Lane, Morgantown, at 10 a.m., Monday, July 19 with Msgr. Anthony Cincinnati as celebrant. Interment will follow at Beverly Hills Cemetery.
Condolences:
www.mcculla.com
