BERNICE "BACI" HODAKOWSKI, age 95, a longtime resident of Northwest Indiana, passed away Wednesday, August 26, 2015. She was born on June 6, 1920 in Labednik, Poland. Bernice was a member and past President of the Polish Women's Alliance St. Anne Group #778, and Rosary Sodality and Women's Guild both of Assumption B.V.M. She retired from the Country Lounge after 35 years and was head cook for 25 years.

When Bernice was only 18 years old, she was visiting friends at a wedding in a village near her home in Labednik, Poland. Without warning, the Russian Army overtook the village and separated men, women and children. From there Bernice was confined to a labor camp in Siberia, where with hundreds of other women and children, she was moved to Teheran, Iran, and finally after the war to East Africa near Lake Victoria. After securing a sponsor for her release, she was transported to England to work in a textile factory where she met and married her dentist husband, Ignac, of 39 years. Bernice emigrated to the USA (New York City) in 1951 from England with her husband. First and foremost, Bernice was a woman of great faith, deep religious convictions, and had a knack for hospitality which she nurtured through her passion for cooking and baking. Whoever walked through her doors was welcomed by a cup of tea or coffee and a sweet treat. Her sense of philanthropy and donating time, treasure, and talent to making the world a better place will be her legacy. Above all, her abounding energy was her trademark.

She is survived by her son, Joseph Hodakowski; daughter, Mary (Raymond) Cusic; grandchildren, Ross Cusic, Leslie (Clint) Ables, Meredith (fiancé, Chris Lembesis) Cusic, Rodney (Mercedes Bernal Casar) Cusic, and Robert Cusic; great grandchildren, Alexandria and LeRoy Ables; family friends, Sam Cusic, Linda and Ron Cross, Kathy Cusic, and Mary Pavich.

Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Ignac Hodakowski; daughter, Ann Marie Hodakowski; and parents, Stanislaw and Maryja Szelag.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army, Salvatorian Fathers Monastery, or Carmelite Fathers.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Bernice will be Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. DIRECTLY at Assumption B.V.M., 3530 Illinois St., Hobart, for a Mass of Christian Burial with Rev. Lourdu Pasala officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, August 28, 2015 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. with a 4:30 p.m. prayer service at Rees Funeral Home, 600 W. Old Ridge Rd., Hobart, (219) 942-2109 or online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.