Anna Badrak

Anna M Badrak, 96, of Orlando, FL passed away on February 06, 2023, at her home in Orlando, Florida. 

Anna was born February 21, 1926, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Ernest and Margaret Rookstool.  She is pre-deceased by her parents and her 3 siblings – Bobby, Franny and Marie. Anna was raised Roman Catholic and was a 1943 graduate of John W. Hallahan High School. She was active in the art club, where she used her talents for the school as well as a member of the chorus. During World War II, she served her country by working in the administrative division of the Naval Aviation Supply Depot (NASD) in Philadelphia PA. In addition, she tirelessly participated in and frequented the USO dances on Arch Street in Philadelphia spending time with soldiers as well as weekly traveling to Ft. Dix New Jersey USO dances to spend time with soldiers arriving back or getting ready to deploy.

She married Anthony L. Badrak, Sr. on February 8, 1947, in Philadelphia.  Her early married years with Tony were spent in West Chester, PA filled with growing children and volunteer work at St. Agnes Church. When the family moved to Wilmington DE, Anna became involved at Salesianum High School’s music and theatre departments. Rev. John Spragg, OSFS (and later Rev. Jack Kelly) recruited Anna to ‘fix’ some band uniforms. That morphed into making new band uniforms, Flag Twirler flags, choral gowns for the ladies, theatrical draperies as well as creating lavish costumes for the many remarkable musical theatre productions performed from 1962 thru 1980. Anna’s creative talents and ability to manage volunteers who liked to sew, provided many beautiful costumes for dozens of theatrical productions performed at Salesian for almost 2 decades. Her costume designs were the highlight of many productions reviewed by renowned theatre critic Otto Dekom with her favorites being Pertrucio’s wedding outfit from Kiss Me Kate and along with her husband Tony, the Knight of the Mirrors armor from Man of La Mancha.  Anna was often called upon to do alteration work for The Playhouse in Wilmington when Broadway shows would come to town. She was a favorite of famous costumer Bob Mackie’s design team because of her expertise in executing fine beading work.

After her children graduated from High School, she managed her own Bridal consulting business called The Nimble Thimble. She not only crafted stunning wedding gowns for many brides but also created themed costumes for local celebrities such as the Philly Phanatic outfits in its early days.  She was highly sought after to make heirloom christening dresses having years of experience working with high-end fragile lace and fabrics. When visiting Anna, one would enter her world of fabric, lace and whatnots that would eventually turn into exquisite works of art. Upon retiring from her bridal work at age 85, folks were still trying to get Anna to sew for them.  A true testament to her skill and expertise. 

For many years after Tony and she retired, they both traveled to visit their children. They treasured every trip to San Antonio, Texas, where her sons, Tony Jr. and Francis live. The first thing to go in her suitcase was her favorite pair of blue cowgirl boots, followed by her acrylic paints and brushes. She was inspired to paint landscapes of the beautiful Texas blue bonnets and other wildflowers she saw in and around San Antonio, including those nestled in the Texas Hill Country. Spring in Texas was special to her in many other ways.

After Tony Jr. then Tony Sr. passed in the same year, she rarely missed Fiesta San Antonio, one of the largest celebrations in the country. Mom loved the pageantry of the Battle of Flowers parade, especially the ornate gowns worn by Fiesta Royalty. She savored every margarita and Mariachi serenade and was the first one to toast to Fiesta, family, and friends. As usual, Anna made many friends in Texas, including “the ladies” who often got together to sew, craft, and go out to eat. She was often the life of Texas family celebrations, especially when her granddaughters were being honored for being in the University of Texas Longhorn Band and frequented their concerts and banquets.

For many years, after traveling to Texas she would continue her travel to San Diego CA to visit her son Ed. For many years, her birthday was celebrated in Sunny California. She called Ed’s house her “California Condo”, taking over 2 bedrooms and most of the living room with her painting supplies, 2 sewing machines and her collection of books. 

During her extended time there, she started to accompany Ed to all types of events.  Business networking events, chamber functions, all types of music gigs, all the while developing an amazing network of friends to help her maintain her independence. This family and friends network ensured that she made it to her weekly hair appointments, shopping for material for her projects, painting supplies for her wine glasses and canvases, lunch dates and the all-important transportation to go to the casinos in Southern California for the annual “playing of the slots”.

Many stories could be told from almost 14 years of visits to her ‘California Condo” including her birthday lunches which were to include a visit to the art museum but always seemed to be sidetracked by good meals and endless conversation; being allowed to control the helm of a 60’ yacht; teaching her great granddaughter how to pick good fabric; mentoring her granddaughter that “the world is her oyster, if you choose it to be”; birthday parties with 50 to 60 attendees and all of the guests getting their photo taken with Anna’s famous boa and on and on. The stories and fond memories are endless and continue to this day.

When she wasn’t traveling, Anna would spend her time in the Wilmington area. She enjoyed frequenting her favorite fabric stores - which was every fabric store! She enjoyed her time with her friends Jenny and Eva, going to lunches, shopping and taking the DART bus to the Delaware Park Casino.  She always enjoyed her visits from her local children Veronica and Margaret and her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  All the kids loved coming to Mom Mom’s house because there was always something to get into. Lots of nooks and crannies and stuff … lots and lots of stuff! Sewing, costumes, musical 

instruments, arts supplies … always something to do.  During the St. Anthony Festival, she was always able to catch up with everyone. Folks would always knock on the door and come and visit her. Everyone knew her and she was a friend to everyone.

Once she officially retired, she moved to FL to be with her son Jim and his family. She enjoyed going to concerts, chatting with her grandson’s friends who would come to visit Mom Mom, being driven to her Physical Training sessions, being walked around the park, giving out candy on Halloween, playing on her iPhone, watching TV, reading the newspaper front to back every day and loved her adopted dog Buddy often feeding him scraps under the table.  He was with her the morning she passed – a loyal dog indeed.  After initially being hesitant about the move, she soon embraced the weather and the true retired life. Yes, she still had her sewing and paints. That would never change.

Anna was the glue of the family. She will always be remembered for her courage, unconditional love and how she was always there for everyone all the time.  She was a true trailblazer before her time.  She would say “Do what makes you feel good. Your choice in life is yours. Make sure you do everything at your fullest”. Mom was proud of all of her family – sons, daughters, grandchildren, great grands and great great grands, nephews, nieces, her brother and sisters, her parents, her in-laws and mostly her husband Tony. 

Anna was 15 days shy of being 97.  She lived a long, exciting life. She told many stories including a story about seeing the Hindenburg blimp fly over Philly in August of 1936. She saw the beginnings of common telephone service, the start of the television era, survived The Great Depression and 4 World Wars (WW2, Korean, Vietnam, Desert Storm plus numerous other military conflicts), many social justice rallies, lived under 17 presidents starting with Calvin Coolidge, space flight, the computer generation and survived Disco and Rap! She saw it all. We were blessed to have her for so long and doubly blessed to be able to care for her in her later years. The memories we shared with her will remain in our hearts forever.

She is survived by five children - Edward Ernest Badrak and his wife Jan of San Diego, CA, Margaret Anna Ptakowski and her husband Richard of West Grove, PA, Veronica Theresa Badrak-Bradley of Lewes, DE, Francis Xavier Badrak and his wife Debbie of San Antonio, TX and James Stephen Badrak and his wife Cynthia of Orlando, FL. Her grandchildren - Beth Badrak, Lee Badrak, Katrina Ptakowski, Richard Ptakowski Jr., Rebecca Bradley, William Bradley Jr., Anthony Bradley, Sarah Bradley, Kirstin Garrison, Amanda Britt, Luke Badrak, Sean Badrak, Antoinette Badrak, Lauren Badrak and James Badrak and their spouses. Her great grandchildren – Kaylee, Natasha, Karalina, Isabella, Victoria, Avery, Lily, Ryan, Lucretia, Austen, Winston and her great great grandchildren Adelaide, Ezra and Lydia. 

She is preceded in death by her husband Anthony Luke Badrak Sr. and her son Anthony Luke Badrak Jr. as well as her great grandson Todd Badrak.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church, 2431 Frazer Rd., Newark DE 19702 on June 29, 2023. Visitation will occur from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM; Mass will be from 11:00 AM -12:15PM; Interment will be at 1:00 PM sharp at the Delaware Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, Delaware 19701.

Following the Interment, The Badrak-Bradley Family will host a reception in Anna’s honor at Sacred Heart Oratory in The Francis X. Norton Center - 917 N. Madison St., Wilmington, De 19801 from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Family and friends are invited to attend.

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