Elzbieta Antonia Zolna

Change is an ever-present component of our lives and Elzbieta Zolna sure lived it. Born Elzbieta Antonia Rumierz, on June 4th 1939 to a wealthy family in Stare Miasto Poland near Lezaynsk, she and her family survived the German occupation of World War II. Her Parents were very religious and used the phrase “Czas Uczieka, Wiecznosz Czieka”. This can be translated as time is fleeting, but eternity awaits. Elzbieta was the youngest of five children and had four brothers. In late 1944, when the front went through, and the Russian communists took over, her parents lost their lives while the family farm was being robbed. Elzbieta and her brothers hid in the woods and Elzbieta became a destitute orphan. She was raised by her grandparents, who had also lost everything in the war. Grandfather was at one time a Pennsylvania coal miner, and returned to Poland to retire. He would always say to our mother – if you can get to the United States go, and never come back. When her Grand Parents passed away, she was moved from one brother to another brother’s home and was little more than an indentured servant to her Polish families. Not wanting to live this life, she left them and moved to Lublin and found a job working as a cashier in a store, living with other girls in a dorm. She was paid poorly and often had nothing to eat. In Lublin she met her Husband – Wladyslaw Zolna, a train engineer who traveled Poland, and was one of nine children. One thing in common is that they both had nothing and wanted to work to have a good life. They were married in 1960 and had a son, Mark in 1961. While Mom was starting her life in Poland, Uncle Benny (mom’s brother) made his way to the USA. Uncle Benny, joined the American occupation army in Germany, and after two years was granted USA citizenship. Uncle Benny sent for our mother and after a year of trying to leave Poland, the communist let her go the USA, as she had nothing. Mom left for the USA in 1962, with her one year old son on her lap and $20 in her pocket. She spoke no English and was bound for Uncle Benny who had a home in Detroit Michigan. Elzbieta soon found a number of jobs and finally ended up working at Kowalski where she made Kielbasas. She did this until she retired. After two years Wladyslaw joined her in the USA. When both had jobs, they bought their first home in Detroit Michigan and their first cars. They both worked hard, and were frugal, they enjoyed people’s company and were very social. In 1966, Bernadette was born –Sometimes known as Smyky and Czurczia. Mom loved her very much. Our mother and father continued to work and after the Detroit riots they were able to sell their Detroit house and move to up and coming Warren Michigan. The joined St Louise which our mom was last at Church in March 2025, and where her funeral mass will be. Hard work continued, and they were able to build a vacation home at Lake James, in Prudenville Michigan. Elzbieta loved to garden and Mushroom hunt in the forest that surround her cottage. She enjoyed boating on the lake and having dinner outside. They then built their dream home in Sterling Heights Michigan which our mother truly loved. She had a wonderful garden with the best tomatoes, and a large fruit orchard. Our Mom and Dad encouraged the education of her children. They were very supporting to both of us with weddings and starting our lives. They did what they could to help. After becoming empty nesters they traveled a little, by going to Poland and making a pilgrimage to Rome and taking a Mediterranean and Caribbean cruise. When Elzbieta’s grand children were born she became known as Babci. She made wonderful Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving dinners, and entertained well up north. She loved her grandchildren immensely – including Cameron, Jeremy, and Cory Schwartz, and Morgan and David. Babci was always there for her grandchildren, and never failed. Babci was also very generous to her and her husband’s extended family in Poland, often supporting them financially. Charity began at home with supporting her family at home and in Poland. We all remember the flowers and vegetables she gave to her friends. Elzbieta’s husband Wladyslaw developed congestive heart failure and colon cancer. Our mom was instrumental in caring for him until he passed in 2016. She gave him all her care and neglected her own health. In time, Elzbieta had severe health issues with rheumatoid arthritis which limited her ability to walk. She did not address this issue until after her husband Wladyslaw passed, and then it was too late. Babci loved her home and her garden and was able to live there for most of her life. In December 2024 she fell in the garage and was knocked unconscious. She survived 20 degree cold over night and was rescued by the fire men. After that point she could not take care of herself and after rehab she entered assisted living. Her son Mark insisted that Babci wore a scapular and made her final confession and received last rites. After praying, saying goodbye to her children and telling them she loved them, Elzbieta passed away in her sleep on May 17, 2025. We are so glad she had her scapular on when she passed and we pray that the Virgin Mary escorted her to heaven. Babci taught us to pray and loved going to church. We trust in the Lord that she is at peace, with her husband Wladyslaw who she loved.

Elzbieta Antonia Zolna

June 4, 1939 - May 17, 2025