Obituary of Krystyna Szymanski

Krystyna Szymanski, 98, of Oxford, N.J, passed away on January 16, 2025 at St. Luke's Hospital in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Krystyna was born on July 24, 1926 in Wolica, Poland.

Krystyna was a daughter of the late Felix and Karolina Opalka. She was a first-hand witness to the most extraordinary events of the 20th century. She lived through the German invasion and occupation of Poland in World War 2. In 1940, Krystyna and her family were forcibly removed from their home by the Russians and deported to Siberia. She survived the harsh conditions of Siberia, and difficult years as a refugee in Iran and the Masindi in Uganda, where she volunteered as a medical aid, before immigrating to England.

In England, she met the love of her life, Andrzej Szymanski, a former soldier in the Polish Forces under British Command during World War 2. They were married in England, where her husband worked at the Bass Brewery. Krystyna and her husband shared a love of competitive dance and won several awards. In 1951, Krystyna gave birth to Danuta, the eldest of their three children. Later that year, Krystyna convinced her husband to emigrate with their young family one last time, to the United States of America. They settled in Brooklyn, where Zbigniew and Lech were born, where they raised their family. Eventually, they bought property in Oxford, New Jersey, and built the summer house where Krystyna would eventually relocate and live until her passing.

In America, Krystyna volunteered for more than 35 years with Krakowianki and Gorale, t Polish Dance Group at St. Stanislaus Kostka RC Church in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. She also volunteered with Zwiazek Harcerstwa Polskiego, the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association, and was a long-time member of the Maria Konopnicka Polish School.

Krystyna is predeceased by her husband, who passed in 1991, as well as her sisters Leontyna Paczek and Helena Kawecki. She is survived by her three children, Danuta, Zbigniew, and Lech Szymanski, as well as her grandchildren, Krystyna Hansen, Christian Szymanski, Andrew Szymanski and Karolyn Hays,as well as many great grandchildren, as well as her two cats and stalwart companions, Max and Morris.

Krystyna lived an extraordinary life and leaves behind a rich legacy, and a family that will miss her very much.

Family and friends may pay their respects on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 12:00 PM at the Chapel at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa Cemetery, 654 Ferry Road Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18901. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:30 in the cemetery chapel. Interment will follow at the Shrine's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation to an animal rescue organization of your choice.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Warren Hills Memorial Home. To send an online condolence please visit www.warrenhillsmemorialhome.com.