Zofia Opalka Obituary

Zofia Bozenna Opalka SUMMERVILLE - Zofia Bozenna Opalka, 87, passed away on May 18, 2025, at her home in Summerville, South Carolina, after a long illness. She was born in Warsaw, Poland, on November 27, 1937, the daughter of Krystyna (Dziarczykowski) and Boguslav Bozenna. She graduated from Warsaw High School and studied metallurgy at the Polytechnical University, where she earned a PhD. She was employed by Energetyka Warszawa, where she worked for 30 years. She authored multiple professional books and journal articles in the field of chemical corrosion. Zofia lived in Poland during the Cold War, when Poland was under the control of the Soviet Union. She joined the underground movement, Solidarity, which resisted Russian oppression. She participated in Solidarity marches and she wrote and distributed materials to the underground units. She was briefly arrested by the communist government for her resistance efforts. By 1990, Zofia celebrated the freedom of Poland as the Soviet Union failed. In 1990, Zofia came to the United States and married Stanley Opalka. She enjoyed many years at Cedar Lake, New York, where she played bridge, listened to American jazz, and hosted family dinners. She had many friends who lived in America and Poland and will be remembered for her good sense of humor and radiant smile. Ever the optimist, she lived by the philosophy that the future would be better than the past. She is survived by her husband, Stanley Opalka of Summerville, South Carolina. She is also survived by her sister, Malgorzata Luczko of Warsaw, Poland; and by her niece, Karina Butler who lives in England. Also surviving are her step-daughters, Barbara Gloersen of Summerville, South Carolina, and Christine Ruff of Utica, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on October 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Utica. Zofia will be buried at Cedar Lake Cemetery in Clayville, New York. There will be a private service at that time. Arrangements are under the direction of McGrath, Myslinski, Kowalczyk & Nunn Funeral Directors, 470 French Rd., Utica. Messages of sympathy at www.kowalczykfuneralhomes.com.