Mary’s long-life journey ended on Sunday, June 23, 2024. She was the daughter of Daniel and Kunegunda (Nowobiska) Wodziak. At age 2, Mary emigrated with parents to Poland. This was a heady time for Poles. Their country rose from ashes at the end of World War. I, Mary, became Marysia.
Tremendous inflation soon depleted father’s savings. Disillusioned and broke, he returned to U.S. on borrowed money. The situation eventually stabilized, and Marysia enjoyed a pleasant and carefree youth. The village, a mountain location, was a mecca for winter skiers and summer vacationing tourists. At age 11, Marysia was sent to a nearby city to pursue education on a deeper level.
Again, heavy clouds were gathering over Europe and mother decided to join father in the USA. A sad, and final visit was made with paternal grandfather to their beloved mountains, owned partly by the Nowobilski family since the 15th century.
It was a lovely May morning when passengers approached the Statue of Liberty and New York. Here the legend said streets were lined in gold and everyone a millionaire. Instead, they found unemployed and broken people, many hungry as the safety net programs did not exist yet. The destination was Esmond, a somewhat backward settlement in R.I. Here those famous Esmond blankets were manufactured. Anyone, lucky to have job, worked there.
Now was the time for “Americanization” and to learn the new language. Marysia became Mary again. A marvelous teacher, Laura Dame, kept the Wodziak sisters after school to learn English. This accomplished, Mary continued her education. She eventually matriculated from Providence College.
Mary was a civil service employee, having worked for the Department of Labor, Employment Security and finally as vocational rehabilitation counselor for the Department of Education.
After retirement, Mary decided to see the world. She toured every country inEurope, then to South Africa, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Egypt, Turkey and South America.
She also worked for several years as a volunteer guide in the RI State House.
Mary, Marysia, it has been a long, long journey. May your soul take the final one over those beloved mountains again, then join God in heaven and eternity.
Mary had three sisters: Anna, Joanne, and Genevieve and one brother: John and two nieces, Carolyn and Nancy.
She established a “Wodziak Family Educational Fund'’ for youth of Polish descent, which will be administered through the R.l. Foundation. Contributions to successfully perpetuate the Fund would be greatly appreciated at The RI Foundation, 1 Union Station, Providence, RI 02903 or a charity of your choice.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 11am at St. Philip Church, 622 Putnam Pike, Greenville. Graveside burial will be in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Cranston. Visitation Thursday morning 9-10:30am in the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Rt 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville.
Obituary written by Mary as a short narrative of her long and interesting life.