Bernarda "Bela" Karwowska

Mrs. Bernarda “Bela“ Karwowska (née Kaczmarek) died peacefully in Winter Park, Florida on June 7, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was 67 years old. Bela was born on June 23, 1956 in Ropienka (Podkarpacie), Poland to Edward and Eugenia Kaczmarek. She devoted her life to building a strong family which was her passion and always the most important part of her life. Her son, Mateusz Piotr, was born in Poland prior to her and Waldemar's immigration to the U.S., and her daughter, Jessica Samantha, was born in Louisville, KY. She devoted much of her free time to nurturing and guiding her four grandchildren, whom she adored: Frederick (age 12), Charles (age 10), Zoey (age 8), and Sofia (age 5). Bela attended high school (Liceum No. 2) in Sanok, Poland. She graduated from the Technical University of Wrocław, Poland in 1979 with a master’s degree in production systems engineering. That same year she married Waldemar Karwowski and together they moved to the United States in 1980. They ultimately settled in Louisville, KY in 1983 where she worked as an industrial engineer. Later in her career Bela became an information technology project manager specializing in the healthcare insurance industry. Recognized for her talent in building effective teams, she was promoted into a leadership position at human resources firm ADP, which she ultimately held until her retirement in 2020. She moved with her husband to Winter Park, FL in 2007, and worked part-time at the Eileen Fisher store on Park Ave. Bela had an innate sense of beauty in fashion and décor and shared these gifts with countless friends, helping them to brighten their lives through their choice of attire and home beautification. She loved to explore different cultures, music, and art, especially those of her native Poland and Italy. Bela had an especially strong sense of social justice and supported those in need, both emotionally and through donations to a variety of charities. Bela is survived by her husband Waldemar of Winter Park, daughter Jessica (Tony) of GA, son Mateusz (Elizabeth) of GA, brother Zygmunt (Maria) of Trepcza, Poland, and nieces Kasia (Przemek), Małgosia (Paweł), and Karolina (Rafał) of Warsaw, Poland. She is also survived by her four grandchildren: Frederick, Charles, Zoey, and Sofia. Father Richard Walsh will lead a funeral mass at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church at 526 N Park Ave in Winter Park, FL on Wednesday, June 12th at 10 am. Flowers and condolences may be sent to the DeGusipe funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bela’s honor to one of her favorite charities, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Bernarda "Bela" Karwowska

June 23, 1956 - June 7, 2024