Camilla Bouchard Wozniak

Camilla Bouchard Wozniak - Class of 1955

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 28/Sep/2024
71.223.73.23

Camilla "Camie" Wozniak was born in North Caribou, Maine on June 7, 1937, to Alcide and Maria (Leveque) Bouchard. Camie's mother passed away when she was 8 years old. She and her 2 sisters were sent to a Catholic orphanage and raised by Canadian French Nuns until the age of 14. At that time, Camie's father moved the family to Newburgh, New York. She attended high school at Newburgh Free Academy. French was Camie's first language, with English as her secondary, making public school a challenge for her. During her senior year, Camie attended school in the morning and worked at various placement jobs in retail. Her final placement was a telephone switchboard operator, a job she loved and worked at until she married. Camie graduated in 1955.
In April of 1953, Camie met the love of her life, Ike Wozniak, who was in the Air Force stationed at Stewart AFB, Newburgh, NY. Ike and some friends stopped one day to visit Camie's sister, Jeanne. When their eyes met on the driveway of 28 North Plank Road, it was love at first sight for Ike and Camie. Dating began shortly thereafter and continued until Ike was transferred to Thule, Greenland in October of 1954. They wrote letters to each other every day during his one year tour.
When he returned in October of 1955, he had a ring and she had purchased a wedding dress, even though marriage had not previously been mentioned! Ike proposed and they spent the next several weeks planning their wedding that took place on November 6, 1955. Their honeymoon was spent traveling to Brenham, Texas to meet Ike's family. Her new mother-in-law, whom she loved, gave her a wedding shower. Camie bonded closely with Ike's sisters, whom she loved as well.
Their first assignment as a married couple was El Paso, followed by Bryan and San Antonio, Texas. The military would take them to Okinawa, California, Taiwan, North Dakota, and finally settling in San Antonio, Texas.
Camie was a career stay-at-home mom. She was fiercely devoted to her children, and later her grandchildren. Her role as wife, Mom, and Granny were clearly, always most important to her. She was always encouraging and so proud of her husband, each child, and grandchild.
After Ike retired from the AF, Camie began working outside the home at the Base Exchange on Lackland Air Force Base. After retiring from the BX, she went to work at Methodist Hospital as a patient escort for a few years, then volunteered for the same position as a Blue Bird.
When Camie was 48 years old, she decided she and Ike, aged 50, should take dance lessons. A nervous wreck, Ike reluctantly went to the first lesson with her. At the end of the night, they signed up for ALL lessons. She turned Ike's two-left feet into "Fred Astaire" and enjoyed another 30 years of beautiful dancing together.
After 32 years in San Antonio, they moved to Sealy, Texas in 2003 and built a house on the Fey Farm. Camie and Ike became very involved with the Immaculate Conception Church. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America (CDA) and she and Ike were ushers for many years. Camie was very supportive of the Knights of Columbus and assisted in many functions, including Bingo Nights. They made many friends over the years in Sealy. For several years, there were many card games, outings, and trips with special friends, Joannah and Bobby Hagen and Frances and Charles Hinze.
Camie and Ike spent much of their retired years traveling in their custom van all over the United States. They took numerous cruises with friends and family. Many trips were taken to New York and Maine to visit family and lifelong friends.
Camie was called home to the Lord peacefully on Tuesday morning, September 17, 2024, at her home in Sealy, Texas. She is survived by her loving husband, Ike, of almost 69 years, daughter, Maria Martini, daughter-in-law, Pam Wozniak, daughter, Chiqui Fey and her husband, Mike. Her grandchildren, Angela and (James) Sewell, Raymond Tuccelli, Stacey and (Jason) Haynes, Stefanie and (Riley) Einfalt, Shannon and (Kurtis) Quillin, and Katie Fey. Great grandchildren, Lilliana Sewell, Lark and Everly Einfalt, and Camilla Kay Quillin (arrival December 2024). Brother and sister-in-laws: Mary and Emil Richter, Emily and Gene Pawlak, Mike and Linda Wozniak, and Rosalie Wozniak; numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her sons, infant David Louis and Michael John Wozniak; her parents; all of her siblings: Norman Bouchard, Robert Bouchard, Claude Bouchard, George Bouchard, Jeanne Hill, Theresa (Fifi) Bouchard, and Alcide Bouchard, Jr.; Brother and sister-in-laws: Msgr. Louis Wozniak, Arthur Lee Wozniak, Jan Marie (Wozniak) Hennigar.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Immaculate Conception Church of Sealy or charity of your choice.
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