Bernadette M. Straka

April 20, 1932 - November 23, 2021

It is with heaviest of hearts that the family of Bernadette M. (nee August) Straka announces her passing on November 23, 2021 after a brief illness. Due to the pandemic, services were postponed until now.

Preceded in death by her parents, Veronica and John August, sister, Matilda Kleha and her husband, Andrew and brother, John August and his wife, Patricia, brother in law, Eugene Straka and his wife, Jeanie as well as her loving husband, Lawrence J. Straka, Sr. The couple shared 69 years of marriage until his passing on January 29, 2021. Most recently, her oldest son, Lawrence J. Straka, Jr.(Nancy) passed away in October 2022.

She is deeply missed and leaves behind her children: Mark, Karen (Bob), Cindy, Greg, Keith, Blaise (Eileen) and Marcia, her 11 grandchildren: Laurie, Christine, Stephanie L., Bryan, Kelly, Brett, Christopher, Nicholas, Stephanie M., Blaise and Lindsay, 9 great grandchildren: Austin, Colton, Ryleigh, Jaxson, Jameson, Victoria, Kelsey, Daniel and Brayden. In addition, sister in laws, Gertrude and Jennie and brother in laws Bob and Joseph, several nieces, nephews, close neighbors and friends.

Bernie graduated from J. W. Cooper High School in Shenandoah, PA. Unknown to most of her family, she was the lead actress in the Senior Play. Best known for her delicious home cooked meals, baking, sewing, crafting, decorating and creative hat and costume making, it wasn’t surprising she became involved with the Saint Thomas Aquinas Ladies Guild and several school and church committees during the time her 8 children attended 12 years of Catholic school. She was also a military wife during the Korean conflict, active member of VFW Ladies Auxiliary Council 6495 and active member of the Ladies of the Moose Lodge/Bristol Chapter 1169.

Many times, she reflected on her life and felt lucky and blessed that her immediate family did not encounter many serious health issues. She did encounter cancer and was a 5-year cancer survivor.

Most of all she loved her family, raising her children, providing care and guidance to her grandchildren and their fur babies, joy and love to her great grandchildren, spending holidays and birthdays with family and friends, loved everything about the beach, playing slots at the casino, completing daily crossword puzzles and anything nautical. Quite often, she received compliments for her cute nautical outfits, beautiful naturally silver hair and many times strangers stopped to ask about the scent of her perfume.

Bernie was a devoted Catholic and member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish since 1954. She dedicated her life to being a loving wife, nurturing and caring mom, Gram and Great Gram. She was compassionate, kind, and impacted many people with her caring ways and always put the needs of others before herself.

Family and friends are invited to attend the following services for both Bernadette and her husband, Lawrence on Monday, March 13, 2023:

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m.

St. Thomas Aquinas Parish

601 Bristol Pike

Croydon, PA 19021

Visitation prior to the start of Mass from 8:30 a.m.-9:15 a.m. Interment will follow at Washington Crossing National Cemetery