Zofia Nowak Turko

Zofia Nowak Turko, 95, passed away Monday, August 24, 2020, after a short illness in Taylors, South Carolina. She was the wife of the late Stefan Turko. Zofia was born in Poland, daughter of the late Piotr and Maria (Ebla) Nowak. Her life journey as a Holocaust survivor, took her out of Poland as a young girl to be a Nazi slave. After being liberated by the Americans, she soon married; and, with one daughter moved to Belgium where her husband was a coal miner, and where another daughter and a son were born. They did not hesitate to move to America. The family was sponsored by a Methodist church in New Britain, Connecticut, where Zofia lived for the remainder of her life. She visited often in Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
Zofia's strong faith in God and family made her independent and resilient. She loved this country and quickly became a citizen. She loved to read the Bible, go to church and attend the women's bible studies. She was an usher at The First Baptist Church, now South Church. She also attended a Polish service at the First Baptist Church. She belonged to the local senior center. In the summers the family would attend the Evangelical Baptist Camp, a slavic camp in Ashford, CT. Zofia loved any adventure and she loved to travel. She returned several times to her beloved Poland. She loved the ocean, especially Hammonasset Beach and Horseneck Beach. She was skilled in knitting, crocheting, and sewing. Zofia was a beautiful Christian who was loving, giving and caring, gifted with boundless energy. Given the times it was a shame that she died alone...alone with Jesus.
She is survived by two daughters and a son: Maria Reed and her husband, Robert of Dartmouth; Irene Urko and her husband William of South Carolina; and, Anthony Turko and Carol of Florida; relatives in Poland; six grandchildren: John LaTour, James LaTour, Natalie Urko Ezelle, Matthew Turko, Ryan Turko and Kevin Turko; and, nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are private.