My mother, Zofia Labudzinska as a bridesmaid.
1924 Poughkeepsie, NY
My mother was born in Szarwark, Tarnow Poland to Andrzej Labudzinski of the Korab Clan and Aniela Mozdzierz. She was the youngest of four children. In 1923, she came to America and in 1926 married Peter Stokmans from Holland.
The following attributes can be said of my mother:
Her faith (Roman Catholic) was her life.
Love for Poland was always in her heart.
She had an unbelievable work ethic and her heart was pure and giving.
She died, 1985 in Las Vegas, Nevada due to surgery complications.
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1920 Poughkeepsie, NY - USA |
Anna Lubudzinska Starzyk was born in Szarwark, Poland, in 1897. At age 17, 1913, she came to America. Here she met Joseph Starzyk and they married. Their marriage was blessed with six children. Today, their family tree contains countless grandchildren and great-grandchildren. To me, her niece, she was known as Cioci.
Besides the love of her family, she was extremely gifted in gardening. Definitely, a "green thumb." On her stove there always seem to be "kasha" or "platski".
She died at 82, 1980 from a stroke. Shortly after Joseph also died.
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1924: Aniela Mozdzierz with
daughter Zofia Labudzinska. |
Aniela Mozdzierz was born, 1876 in Szarwark, Tarnow, Poland. She married Andrzej Labudzinski and they were blessed with four children. In the twenties she came to the United States to be with her sister, and two daughters, Anna, and Zofia (Sophie). In her sixties, she decided that she wanted to return to her homeland, Poland. This is where she wanted to die and be buried. She then lived with her son, Stasiu and family. Surprisingly, she lived a long life and died at 97. Religion was her daily strength.
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Szarwark, Poland - early 1950s |
This picture is the parish priest of Szarwark, Poland, Sister Filipina (Katarzyna Labudzinska) and her brother Stasiu Labudzinski. With them is his wife Honorata, and five of their eleven children (three of whom died.)
Sister Filipina was a sister of the Sacred Heart, and in the 1960s, was superior of the chancellery in Krakow when Pope John Paul 11 was archbishop. It was the duty of the sisters to cook and keep everything related to the chancellery in order. She knew Pope John Paul very well. Her brother Stasiu, was a wonderful man, and I spoke to one of his daughters who called him a "saint." When his mother came back from America in her sixties, he took care of her til her death at 97.
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