Ruth “Bunny” Bohaczyk

ATLANTA-- Ruth “Bunny” Bohaczyk, who founded the Friends of St. Martin de Porres ministry to the poor at Holy Cross Church, Atlanta, died Feb. 9 in Conyers. She was 71.

Widowed with five children to raise, Mrs. Bohaczyk went through years of depression and anger at God, according to those who knew her well, because of the difficult circumstances of her own life. When she came through that period in her life, however, and found forgiveness and healing, she became focused on serving God and the church through helping the poor, homeless and needy for the rest of her life. “Her way of paying back God for all those years of staying away from the church was by feeding the poor, the hungry and the needy,” her granddaughter said.

In 1995 she received the Archdiocesan Service Medal from Archbishop John F. Donoghue for her 15 years as founder and director of the Friends of St. Martin de Porres, a ministry that provided food, clothing and other kinds of aid to thousands of people in the metropolitan Atlanta area. Among other works, the Friends served hot meals weekly in Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta.

To support the ministry, she also started an annual variety show that enlisted the volunteer talents of hundreds of people at Holy Cross and throughout the archdiocese.

Mrs. Bohaczyk was also an early backer and strong supporter of the Gift of Grace House in Atlanta, the residence for women with AIDS run by the Missionaries of Charity.

A reminiscence by Holy Cross parishioner Kay Warthman said, “Bunny taught me and many others that there are different types of poverty. Supplying the food and clothes was the easiest part. She had great respect for the dignity of the poor and realized they needed love and laughter and acceptance more than the food and clothing we were able to provide. Though physically disabled, with numerous medical problems of her own, Bunny was at her best when she could mingle with the people she served. She loved chatting with the people who lived on the streets of Atlanta as naturally as if they were old chums.”

“Though her outreach began at Holy Cross, it grew each year ultimately reaching beyond Atlanta, Georgia, and even U.S. boundaries,” the reminiscence said. “Truly her life affected not thousands, but tens of thousands.”

Originally from Salem, Mass., she had lived in California before moving to Georgia. She had been in a nursing home for over a year since suffering a stroke and died following a massive stroke suffered Feb. 8.

A memorial Mass was celebrated at Holy Cross Church Feb. 12 with Father Paul Fogarty, pastor, as celebrant and Father Michael Campbell, parochial vicar at St. John Neumann Church, Lilburn, as concelebrant. Deacon Cecil Reimer assisted at the Mass and preached.

Mrs. Bohaczyk is survived by four daughters, Ann Bartow of Atlanta; Sylvia Cryan of Lithonia; Sally Paige of Brunswick and Valerie Renaud of Rutledge; one son, Frank of Cumming; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Gift of Grace House, 995 St. Charles Ave., Atlanta 30306 or to the Friends of St. Martin de Porres, Holy Cross Church, 3175 Hathaway Court, Atlanta 30341.