Dobek, Genevieve Bernice

Genevieve Bernice Dobek of New Britain went home to meet the Lord on Thursday October 27, 2022.

Born in New Britain on August 11, 1920, daughter of the late Bernice (Bodziach) and John P. Dobek.

Gene had a twin sister, Florentyna who died at just two months old and a brother Thaddeus who died as an infant in 1926. Gene is also predeceased by her beloved brothers, Frank, Walter and John; her sisterly cousin Sophie (Koslowski) and her dear friend and sister-in law Barbara (Kelpinski) Dobek. She is survived by her sister-in-law Billie Dobek of New Britain, a niece, four nephews, six grand nieces and nephews, and three great grand nephews. Distant in miles only, are cousins and families of cousins in Pennsylvania,ohio and California that will miss their visits with Gene. Gene was a true New Britain native where family, church, and community were central in her life. She attended local schools, and exemplary of her selfless obligation to help the family, Gene left High School after finishing Eleventh Grade in order to care for her younger brothers so that her mother could work. At that time she took on housecleaning jobs to contribute to the family's income. Her earlier school years yielded several (now family favorite) stories of Gene's standing up to bullies, protecting her siblings and demonstrating, even at an early age, a fierce self-pride. As a young woman she was fond of music, movies and fashion, especially the latest trends. Gene maintained a rich social life with friends and family even as she met the schedule and demands of a constant and committed work life. Among other positions, she worked at Landers, Frary and Clark, Stanley Works, Corbin and Emhart.

Gene was an athlete in the Dobek tradition and played Basketball in the State Polish League, bowled on her shops bowling team; and played on the Industrial

League Softball team. All her life, and especially after retiring, Gene loved working outdoors in her garden, raking leaves, and even enjoyed shoveling snow. She was a sun lover, always. A collector of crystal candlesticks, Gene had a penchant (which she shared with her brother, Walter) for tag sales. She relished traveling by car all over the Northeast, traveling nearly every weekend and attending church services in the many towns and villages that she and Walter visited.they had a particular fondness for The Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Some of Gene's greatest joy came from playing cards with the family for pennies at Friday night gatherings; these, a longstanding tradition of many decades. She enjoyed oil painting, and brought to the canvas, scenes of pastoral beauty and floral vibrancy. Gene enjoyed a good Martini. She was a dog lover of

the highest caliber.

Gene was many things to so many people! She was a dedicated Aunt to her brother Frank's children: Robert, Gerald and Jefferey and to her brother John's: Jack and Ruthann. She was treasured by all her grand nieces and nephews.

For ten years, from 1996 till his passing in 2006, Gene's life was focused on caring for her beloved brother, Walter. Although his health challenges were enormous, Gene and her brother were examples of resilience and adaptability. They continued as a team of two to tend to their house and gardens and continued to maintain the family table in their grand yellow house on the corner of Lincoln and Brookside! It was a blessing and fitting that in Gene's last six years that her needs were met at home by absolutely committed and tireless angels posing as women in the form of Elizabeth, Bronia, Maria, Dorothy and Eve. These ladies gave the gift of caring and capable tending to Gene in countless ways and

perhaps most importantly, providing Gene peace and security in her own home on her own terms. Friends and neighbors continued to grow their friendships with Gene, even as she became home-bound. Her very nature attracted the love and friendship of countless people in her neighborhood. She always offered kind

words for those she interacted with. They join their voices with the family's in gratitude and praise for these special women.

Each day of her last years she received the Gift of Life and the Gift of another Day with Grace and Gratitude no matter what her circumstances were. She exemplified what she often said, “It's an adventure”. God be with her.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Sunday, November 6, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Burritt Hill, 332 Burritt St., New Britain. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, November 7, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, New Britain. She will be laid to rest in Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to CT Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd, Newington, CT 06111. To share a memory with Genevieve's family, please visit us at www.duksa.net