DEAREST MOTHER, BALBINKA, WAS THE LIGHT OF OUR LIVES, FULL OF ENERGY AND A WARM SMILE.
She was born in Warsaw, Poland.
Her young life was disrupted when World War II began in 1939.
At the age of 19, she and her younger brother were separated from their parents and family and were transported in cargo trains to a labor camp in Germany. It was an extremely difficult time, as she had to take care of her 14-year-old brother and fight for survival.
There, she met Romuald—my future father—who, like many others, had been taken from Warsaw for forced labor. The labor camps were eventually liberated by American forces, and the war ended in 1945.
People desperately tried to find their families, returning to their homelands by any means possible. Balbinka's love story began in that unfortunate place, and Romuald was the man she married after the war.
They were blessed with three children and lived together for 25 years, until my father suddenly passed away from a heart attack at the age of 50.
She loved my father so much that she never remarried, remaining a widow until the end of her life at age 100.
Despite a life full of hardships, she was always a positive person, with kind words for everyone and great respect for all. She was brave, strong, and had a big heart.
Her journey ended at 100 years old, but she will never be forgotten and will remain in our hearts forever.
IN LOVING MEMORY
Kids, Grandkids, Great-Grandkids, and the Rest of the Family