Berthilde “Bette” Kremer Zajac, age 88, beloved wife of Joseph Francis Zajac, Jr. died peacefully at home on Friday, August 5^th with her family at her side after a long illness.

 

Bette was born on November 4, 1933 in Wicker, Germany and was raised in a loving home with a wonderful family. She attended local German schools and earned a business degree. Her life was forever changed when she met a peacetime American Soldier while waiting for a bus when she was 23 years old. She married that American Soldier, Joe Zajac, and left her family in Germany to build a life with him in Meriden, Connecticut.

 

Bette and Joe were married August 31^st 1958 at St. Joseph’s Church and lived their entire married life in Meriden. Bette became a proud United States citizen in 1963.

 

Besides her husband of 64 years, Bette is survived by four children: her daughter Claire Zajac and her husband Brian Huffman of Hudson, Wisconsin; her son Frank Zajac and his wife Jeanne of Buffalo, New York; her daughter Lori Mullooly and her husband Jay of Goshen, New York and her daughter Liza Whitehead and her husband Joe of Oxford, Connecticut. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren, who adored their “Oma”: Betsy, James, Katie (and husband Stefan), Emily, Sarah (and husband Patrick), Cecilia, Mary Kate (and husband Robert), Maggie, John, Beth, Rob and Lorelei. Bette also leaves behind three beloved sisters in Germany: Klara Korn, Rosemarie Matthes and Annelore Ott as well as many precious in-laws, nieces and nephews.

 

Over the years, Bette held numerous jobs providing administrative and translation support at businesses including KabelMetal, Matik North America and The Miller Company. Bette was fluent in several languages including English and German. She was known for her ability to translate highly technical material in the field of metallurgy and material science. She created a material science translation dictionary for German and American engineers that was not available at the time.

 

She will be remembered the most for the loving home and family she and Joe created here in Meriden. Bette was a gifted cook and enjoyed entertaining. She enjoyed travel, was well read and was a lifelong learner. A parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Angels, Bette was a devout Catholic. She and Joe sponsored RCIA candidates, and hosted home bible studies and faith sharing groups. She was unfailingly compassionate and took care of everyone around her. She was a long-term volunteer at Mid-State Hospital. She was truly devoted to her children, and grandchildren, and the love of her life, her husband Joe. Joe’s selfless care of Bette in her final years was a beautiful example of a blessed marriage.

 

Bette was predeceased by her dear friends Mary Bobrowski and Anita Adduci. Along with Anne Pastula, this foursome of amazing women, affectionally known as “The Golden Girls” traveled extensively up and down the East Coast and Europe doing their best to find the finest places to have a scenic glass of wine. They were particularly adept finding free, five-star bathrooms in New York City.

 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bette’s memory can be made to Our Lady Queen of Angels in Meriden, Connecticut.

 

Her family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, August 9^th from 4 to 7 p.m. at the John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, 88 E. Main St., Meriden, CT 06450. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 10^th at Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish, Holy Angels Church, 585 Main St., Meriden, CT. Everyone is asked to meet at the church. Burial will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery, Southington. For online condolences, please visit jferryfh.com.