In Memoriam Honorary President Helen Zielinski
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
G£OSG£OS POLEKPOLEK THE POLISH WOMEN’S VOICE - A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE POLISH WOMEN’S ALLIANCE OF AMERICA G£OS POLEK - ORGAN ZWI¥ZKU POLEK W AMERYCE No. 4 May 2007 Maj 2007 Rok MMVII In Memoriam Honorary President Helen Zielinski The National Board of Polish Women’s Alliance of America is sad- dened to share with its members and with the Polish American commu- nity the news that Helen Zielinski, Honorary President of Polish Women’s Alliance, passed away on April 10, 2007, at the age of 95. She had served as National Vice President from 1959 to 1971 and as National President from 1971 to 1987. We extend our sincere condo- lences to her grieving family and friends. Helen was born in Ralphton, Pennsylvania on August 7, 1911. She joined PWA at an early age and was an active member and officer before being elected to national office. She was a founder of Group 815 “Queen of Peace” Merrillville, Indiana. Her many years as executive officer of PWA presented many occasions to serve the organization and Polonia on the local, national, and international levels. She was a friend of Pope John Paul II and attended his installation in 1978. She spear- headed the fundraising drive for the establishment of the John Paul II Home in Rome. She was known for her leadership in many civic, cul- tural, and artistic endeavors. She worked on the National Ethnic Affairs Committee with Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and Jimmy Carter, visiting them in the White House and rep- resenting the Committee at international meetings. She also participat- ed on the Committee for the Restoration of the Statue of Liberty and served for many years as Vice President of the Polish American Congress. Music was a special love of hers. She had studied voice at the Chicago Conservatory of Music and was a member of St. Hedwig Church Choir, the St. Cecilia Choir, and in the Chopin Chorus. She was an honorary member of the American Polish Singers Alliance. She was dedicated to As President of PWA, Helen Zielinski met numerous times with the Pope and with U.S. Presidents. She received honors from the Polish government and met many the teaching of Polish folk dancing to younger generations of Polish famous people. But always first in her heart were the PWA and her family. Women’s Alliance members and she organized competitions for many years at the PWA Youth Conferences that emphasized Polish dancing and singing. She received the Ambassador Award from Orchard Lake Schools, Michigan, as well as a service medal, the Cross of the Order of Cavaliers, from the government of the Republic Continued on page 2 PAGE 2 May 2007 Maj 2007 G£OS POLEK G£OS POLEK Honorary President Helen Zielinski STATE PRESIDENTS Urzêdowy Organ Continued ZWI¥ZKU POLEK W AMERYCE *District I - Illinois, Florida, Missouri Wychodzi osiem razy w roku Delphine Lytell, 7918 W. 100th St., Palos Hills, IL 60465 THE POLISH WOMEN'S VOICE Email: [email protected] PUBLISHED BY District II - Western Pennsylvania of Poland, and a silver medal from by her family. She will be missed by Anthylene M. Blasic, 227 Blasic St., THE POLISH WOMEN'S the Stowarzyszenie Wspólnoty everyone who knew her! Parkhill, PA 15945 Polskiej, an organization devoted to ALLIANCE OF AMERICA She is survived by three children: District III - Indiana the propagation of Polish culture and 6643 N. Northwest Hwy., 2nd Fl. Eugene (Judy) Zielinski and Gerald Chicago, IL 60631 Delphine Huneycutt, 4909 Baring Ave., heritage throughout the world. East Chicago, IN 46312 Zielinski, both of Merrillville, and www.pwaa.org District IV - New York & Erie, PA. - Her devotion to her family, her faith, Jackie (Ted Borggren) Stuck of Virginia Sikora - Managing Editor Christine Wozniak, 2538 East 42nd St., and her Polish heritage marked her Crown Point; ten grandchildren, Erie, PA 16510 life and constitutes her legacy. She many great and great-great grand- Email: [email protected] EDITORIAL OFFICE - REDAKCJA will be remembered as a strong but children; sister Bernice (late Frank) 6643 N. Northwest Hwy., 2nd Fl. District V - Michigan approachable leader who worked Ellis of CA; and many nieces and Chicago, Illinois, 60631 Mary Ann Nowak, 17397 Millar Rd., with members young and old alike to nephews. She was preceded in death Clinton Township, MI 48036 PHONE (847) 384-1200 make things happen, as a woman by her husband, Stanley; son-in-law, FAX (847) 384-1494 District VI - Wisconsin who shared her passion for PWA and Ray Stuck; sister, Genevieve Mary Mirecki Piergies, English Editor Diane M. Reeve, 1223 S. 10th St., Milwaukee, WI 53204 for music with everyone she met, as a Siminski; two brothers, Benny and Gra¿yna Zajaczkowska, Polish Editor friend who was as quick to laugh and Anthony Kloc, granddaughter, Laura District VII - Ohio share a joke as she was to lend a Green, and a great-granddaughter. Polish Women’s Voice (Glos Polek) Irena Honc-Jadlos, 12500 Edgewater Dr., (ISSN 0199-0462) (USPS 220-480) Apt. 207 Lakewood, OH 44107 helping hand, and as a wife and May she rest in peace. is published eight times a year by the District VIII - Massachusetts mother who was respected and loved Czeœæ Jej Pamiêci! Polish Women’s Alliance of America. Sylvia Morytko, 24 Bear Hole Rd., West Postmaster: Send address changes to: Springfield, MA 01089 Glos Polek, 6643 N. Northwest Hwy., District IX - Connecticut 2nd Fl., Chicago, Illinois, 60631. Stephanie T. Marcaccio, 196 Hickory Hill A Fond Farewell Ln., Newington, CT 06111 PRINTED IN DES PLAINES, IL District X - New Jersey, Eastern New Eulogy delivered by Honorary showed me many things. She was PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID at York and Philadelphia Josephine Kuklasinski, 371 Armstrong President Helen Wojcik at very dedicated to the office. She had CHICAGO, IL and additional mailing offices. Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07305 St. Joan of Arc Church in no fear. She taught me to approach Officers Email: [email protected] Merrillville, Indiana, during the challenging problems with an atti- VIRGINIA SIKORA President District XI -Nebraska Concelebrated Funeral Mass tude of “Let’s get it done!” She SHARON ZAGO Vice President Bernadette Vlock, 13586 Cedar St., on April 14, 2007. Helen Wojcik showed me how to embrace the fra- GRAZYNA MIGALA National Secretary Omaha, NE 68144 had served as Vice President with ternal aspect of our work. She intro- BARBARA MILLER Treasurer District XII - Maryland and Helen Zielinski for three terms. duced me to the Polish American HELEN V. WOJCIK Hon. President Washington, DC Congress and its workings. HELEN ZIELINSKI Hon. President Theresa E. Violanti, 9401 Orbitan Crt., We are here today to say our Her love of God and her church Carney, MD 21234 Directors farewells to Helen Zielinski, Honor- was very prominent in her life. She Helen Simmons District XIII - California ary President of Polish Women’s was not afraid to show that to every- Alicia Van Laar, 2624 Citronella Crt., Jennie Starzyk Benton Alliance. On behalf of President one. Of course, we had our lighter Antoinette Trela-Vander Noot Simi Valley, CA 93063 Email: [email protected] Virginia Sikora and the National days too. She often brought home- Felicia Perlick Board members, some of whom are made cookies and cakes and shared Marcia Mackiewicz-Duffy District XIV - Eastern Pennsylvania Helen Lopez, 22 Vista Drive, Nanticoke, here today, we offer sincere condo- them with everyone. And her seem- Medical Examiner PA 18634 lences to the family. We share your ingly endless supply of Polish jokes Maria Wieczorek, MD Email: [email protected] grief. We have lost a true friend. always came out at just the right With all of the tributes that have moment. been offered, we at Polish Women’s Helen, my colleague and friend, You can also contact us by e-mail or visit www.pwaa.org Alliance would like to acknowledge your earthly mission is over. You are If you have access to the Internet you can contact Polish Women’s Alliance of Helen Zielinski’s lifelong commit- ready for your heavenly reward, America at the following e-mail addresses or call our toll-free number at 888-522-1898. ment to our organization. We are beside Our Lady of Czestochowa. President Virginia Sikora - [email protected] truly grateful. You did many things, the Patron Saint of PWA. Vice President Sharon Zago - [email protected] Mrs. Z., and you made us proud! I would not be surprised if she National Secretary Grazyna Migala - [email protected] On a personal note, I would like to were already leading the choir of Treasurer Barbara Miller - [email protected] G³os Polek Editors - [email protected] extend my sincere sympathy to the angels. She did love to sing! PWAA’s general e-mail address is [email protected] family. Your mother spoke of you often, she loved you dearly. When Helen Zielinski, I Next Deadlines for Glos Polek the tears are wiped away, place her in bid you farewell. your hearts and remember the happy Dobra noc, sleep moments you shared together. well, rest in peace. June issue: Deadline for articles is May 20th July issue: Deadline for articles is June 20th Working with President Helen You have earned it. Zielinski was interesting. She We shall miss you! G£OS POLEK May 2007 Maj 2007 PAGE 3 35th Convention News and Notices Congratulations Attention Delegates: to our May Queens Have you sent in your Registration Form and Fee? Have you sent in your Emergency Contact Form? Have you made your Travel Arrangements? Deadline is May 31st for Forms and Fees. See box below.