Beatrice A. Sawicki
Mattituck resident Beatrice “Bea” Sawicki died at home April 14, 2016, surrounded by her family. She was 86.
Born January 17, 1930, in Port Chester, N.Y., Bea was the second child of Claude and Helen (Healy) Terpening.
The Terpening family moved to Matttituck in 1945, where Bea graduated from Mattituck High School two years later. She attended Mary Immaculate Nursing School in Jamaica, N.Y., receiving a medal of excellence upon her graduation in 1950 as a registered nurse. The same year, Bea joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas where she cared for veterans returning from the Korean War. She rose to the rank of first lieutenant and was honorably discharged in 1952 after which she returned to the North Fork and continued her nursing career. In May of 1955, Bea was married to Edward Sawicki in Mattituck where they raised three daughters.
Bea was a school nurse at Aquebogue Elementary and Mercy High Schools where she was employed for 20 years, retiring in 1991. She was known for her dedication to and compassion for the many students and families she worked with over the years. During her time in the Riverhead school district, she met teachers who remained her lifelong friends. In her retirement, Bea enjoyed gardening and spending time with her grandson.
Bea is survived by her husband of 60 years, Edward; her three daughters, Ellen, Doreen (Cynthia) and Claudia Brooks (Andy); her beloved grandson, Andrew Nemeth; her brother Claude Terpening (Jean), her sister Maureen Sacker (Don), and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Patrica Krueger (Bernard).
The family received visitors April 18 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck A funeral Mass was celebrated April 19 at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Mattituck, followed by internment with full U.S. Air Force honors at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Cutchogue.
Bea will be missed by all who loved her. Donations in her memory may be made to East End Hospice.
This is a paid notice.
