Barbara Marczewski (Lichterowicz) passed away peacefully on March 31, 2025, at St. Mary Health Care Center in Worcester, MA. She was 96.
She is preceded in death by her husband Alexander in 1981 and her granddaughter Monica in 2012. She is survived by her three children: Her son, George Marczewski of Ft. Lauderdale, FL (ex-wife Maryann Colosimo), grandsons Pawel and Alexander Marczewski, and great-granddaughter Kayla Vosila; Her daughter, Elizabeth Montgomery of Silver Spring, MD (husband Frederick and ex-husband Kenneth Kowalchek), granddaughter Katherine Kowalchek of Boston, MA (husband Helgi Gunnarsson), and great-grandchildren Henry Helgason and Freya Helgadottir; Grandson Stephen Kowalchek of Gaithersburg, MD (wife Bridget), and great-granddaughters Ellie and Tabitha; Her son, Richard Marczewski of Worcester, MA (ex-wife Theresa), grandson Richard Jr. of Warren, MA (wife Kassandra), and great-grandchildren Miles and Vianna; Granddaughter Julie Longchamps of Douglas, MA (husband Cory), and great-grandsons Camden, Brayden and Gavin; Granddaughter Ashley Bergeron of Worcester, MA (husband Paul), and great-grandchildren Winnie and Jack. She also leaves behind countless friends whom she loved like family.
Barbara was born on April 25, 1928, in Golonóg, Poland. After losing her parents early in life, she was cared for by her father’s sister in Jedrzejów until she married Alexander Marczewski and they moved to Radom, where Barbara became an indispensable partner to Alexander in his profession as composer, teacher, and conductor of Radom’s Symphony Orchestra. In August 1965 she and Alexander and their three children emigrated from Poland to America via the Polish Ocean Liner MS Batory to escape the socio-political situation of the time. They would reside in Scranton, PA, for two years before settling in Worcester, MA, where Barbara worked at Our Lady of Czestochowa Catholic Church as a cook in the rectory and Alexander as the organist.
After Alexander passed away, Barbara left Worcester to live with her daughter and her daughter’s first husband who worked for the U.S. Foreign Service; initially in the African nations of Ivory Coast and Cameroon, and then in Mexico and Switzerland. She enjoyed life and exploration in these countries and was proud to help her daughter raise two children and do charity work to promote American goodwill. She also became quite renowned in certain Diplomatic circles for her most excellent baking and cooking!
Barbara returned home to Worcester in the late 1980s where she cemented her independence. She found employment at the College of the Holy Cross, serving food to the enjoyment of the students there until her retirement at the age of 75. It was these students – her students – who helped her to learn English, another accomplishment of which she was very proud.
She resided in an independent living apartment into her early 90’s and spent her later years attending Mass and enjoying her growing family, especially her twelve great-grandchildren who adored her and called her their “Babcia” and “The One Who Makes the Best Soups!” She will be deeply missed by them and by all who knew her.
Barbara’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at St. Mary Health Care Center for the wonderful care and comfort they provided ‘Babcia’ over the past few years and to Ascend Hospice for their added assistance in recent months.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made out to Our Lady of Czestochowa Memorial Fund, 34 Ward Street, Worcester, MA 01610 or to St. Mary Heath Care Center, 39 Queen Street, Worcester, MA 01610.
Calling hours will be on Monday, April 7th, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at Henry-Dirsa Funeral Home, 33 Ward Street. A funeral with a Mass will be held at 11:30AM also on Monday, April 7th, 2025, at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 34 Ward Street, with burial to follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, 162 Webster Street, Worcester, MA 01603. Immediately following the burial, Barbara’s family invite those who would like to celebrate her life to gather at The White Eagle, 116-120 Green Street, Worcester, MA 01604.
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