Obituary of Rose Pacyna

Rose C. (Smichenko) Pacyna, 93, of New Britain, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2015. She will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Rose was married to her beloved husband, Edward Pacyna, for 62 years. Like many couples of her generation, Edward and Rose married early in life, and Rose loved the role of homemaker greatly enjoying to cook and bake. Born in Griswold, CT, Rose was the daughter of the late Peter and Anna Smichenko and grew up in Newington, CT. When Rose and Edward married, they made their home in New Britain, CT where Rose was a member of Holy Cross Church and worked at Fafnir Bearing Company for 34 years and was a member of the UAW Fafnir Seniors. Rose was passionate about conquering cancer. Her husband was a cancer patient, and she volunteered in several capacities to encourage and raise funds for cancer research. Rose was awarded certificates of appreciation from the American Cancer Society for furthering the cause of ostomates. Rose is predeceased by her loving husband, Edward Pacyna, her daughter Dorothy Pacyna, and siblings, Peter Smichenko and Nellie Hellit. Rose is survived by her sons, Edward Pacyna, Jr. of Marblehead, MA; and Thomas Pacyna, Sr. and his wife Mary Ann of Venice, FL; her grandson, Thomas Pacyna, Jr. of Farmington; her three granddaughters, Kathleen Pacyna of Mountain View, CA; Kirsten Pacyna of Woburn, MA; and Sarah Pacyna of Biloxi, MS; her great granddaughter, Elena Pacyna Picart of Biloxi, MS, who affectionately called Rose her "GG;" two sister-in-laws, Ruth Smichenko of Vernon and Florence Moorcroft of New Britain; and many nieces and nephews. Rose's family extends a special thanks to her caretakers and friends at Arbor Rose and Jerome Home. Rose's funeral will be private with interment in Sacred Heart Cemetery, New Britain. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make memorial donations may do so to the American Cancer Society.