ELIZABETH DANUTA (ZDZIESZYNSKA) SULANOWSKI,
96, of Deford, died Tuesday, February 15, 2011 in her daughter’s home with her family by her side. She was born September 12, 1914 in Zbiersk, Poland to Stanislaw and Zofia (Wojciszewska) Zdzieszynska. Elizabeth’s life was anything but easy. At the age of 3 she lost her father in World War I. She grew up with 2 sisters and a young widowed mother, grandparents and extended relatives. As a young woman, she discovered a talent and love for the arts, especially poetry and writing. Unfortunately World War II and the struggle to stay one step ahead of the death camps dashed any hopes she had of advancing her education.
On September 5, 1942 she married Henryk Sulanowski in Kalisz, Poland. Later giving birth to two children, Jacek and Anna. Following World War II, the Stalinist threat compelled the young family to flee to the USA. As an American citizen, Henryk was able to return to the States where he worked for two years to earn enough money to bring his family from Poland.
Upon her arrival, Elizabeth had to start working immediately. She developed another talent, sewing. Elizabeth worked as a tailor for a men’s clothing store. She also sewed the most beautiful dresses and gowns. Although their wages were modest, Henryk and Elizabeth sent money and packages of food and used clothing to their families back in Poland.
Elizabeth had two more children in the United States, Leszek and Barbara, thereby fulfilling a childhood dream of having a family of four children in exactly the order she requested – boy, girl, boy, girl. And it was motherhood that defined her the best. She loved her family and always put their needs above her own. When her grandchildren, Sarah and Bartholomew were born she was right there to help in their care.
Above all, Elizabeth loved God and strove to live a good Catholic life. She was proud of her Polish heritage and sought to instill in her children respect for their heritage and love of God.
At the age of 96, Elizabeth outlived all of her friends and family of that generation. Her husband died on March 17, 1974. She leaves behind her children, Jacek and Margaret (Mathews) Sulanowski of Woods Hole, MA, Anna Kabot, Leszek Sulanowski and Barbara Sulanowski of Deford; four grandchildren: Sarah Kabot of Cleveland, OH, Bartholomew Kabot of Utica, Janusz Sulanowski of Woods Hole, MA, Jan Sulanowski of Poznan, Poland. She also has numerous nieces and nephews in Poland who mourn her passing.
Funeral Mass held 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 18, 2011 in St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Marlette with Rev. Andrzej Boroch officiating. Interment will be in St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Marlette. Memorials may be made to St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 9:30 to 11 a.m. Friday, February 18, 2011 in St. Elizabeth Catholic Church – Marlette
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz, 989-872-2195
96, of Deford, died Tuesday, February 15, 2011 in her daughter’s home with her family by her side. She was born September 12, 1914 in Zbiersk, Poland to Stanislaw and Zofia (Wojciszewska) Zdzieszynska. Elizabeth’s life was anything but easy. At the age of 3 she lost her father in World War I. She grew up with 2 sisters and a young widowed mother, grandparents and extended relatives. As a young woman, she discovered a talent and love for the arts, especially poetry and writing. Unfortunately World War II and the struggle to stay one step ahead of the death camps dashed any hopes she had of advancing her education.
On September 5, 1942 she married Henryk Sulanowski in Kalisz, Poland. Later giving birth to two children, Jacek and Anna. Following World War II, the Stalinist threat compelled the young family to flee to the USA. As an American citizen, Henryk was able to return to the States where he worked for two years to earn enough money to bring his family from Poland.
Upon her arrival, Elizabeth had to start working immediately. She developed another talent, sewing. Elizabeth worked as a tailor for a men’s clothing store. She also sewed the most beautiful dresses and gowns. Although their wages were modest, Henryk and Elizabeth sent money and packages of food and used clothing to their families back in Poland.
Elizabeth had two more children in the United States, Leszek and Barbara, thereby fulfilling a childhood dream of having a family of four children in exactly the order she requested – boy, girl, boy, girl. And it was motherhood that defined her the best. She loved her family and always put their needs above her own. When her grandchildren, Sarah and Bartholomew were born she was right there to help in their care.
Above all, Elizabeth loved God and strove to live a good Catholic life. She was proud of her Polish heritage and sought to instill in her children respect for their heritage and love of God.
At the age of 96, Elizabeth outlived all of her friends and family of that generation. Her husband died on March 17, 1974. She leaves behind her children, Jacek and Margaret (Mathews) Sulanowski of Woods Hole, MA, Anna Kabot, Leszek Sulanowski and Barbara Sulanowski of Deford; four grandchildren: Sarah Kabot of Cleveland, OH, Bartholomew Kabot of Utica, Janusz Sulanowski of Woods Hole, MA, Jan Sulanowski of Poznan, Poland. She also has numerous nieces and nephews in Poland who mourn her passing.
Funeral Mass held 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 18, 2011 in St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Marlette with Rev. Andrzej Boroch officiating. Interment will be in St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Marlette. Memorials may be made to St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 9:30 to 11 a.m. Friday, February 18, 2011 in St. Elizabeth Catholic Church – Marlette
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz, 989-872-2195
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