Heddy J. Stepaniak

Warsaw, Poland 9/20/23 - Long Beach, California 5/22/10

Our dear Mama & Babcia was released from her earthly body and returned home on Saturday, May 22, 2010. She has finally been reunited with her beloved husband, Richard, who preceded her in death, as well as her parents, sister, brother, and infant son.

Heddy is survived by her daughters Janet Wray & Barbara Oberhammer, grandchildren Christopher & Michael Wray, and Erik Matthew, Krystina & Nicole Oberhammer, and great-grandchild "Nugget" Wray.

Mama led a remarkable life. She was born in Warsaw, Poland, the oldest of 3 children, to a policeman and a flower shop girl. Her earliest memory was as a 4 year old running at the trolley stops calling out "K(wi)aty (S)pedaje" ("I'm selling flowers!"). She was almost 16 when Hitler invaded Poland. Mama met and married our Tatus (Dad) during the German Occupation, in January 1943. Both joined the Polish Underground Army and participated in the Warsaw Uprising of August 1944. Both were taken to Nazi prisoner of war camps and were liberated in April 1945.

Together with her husband, she joined the Allied forces and was sent to Italy, where she took courses in and graduated from Nursing school. In 1946, they were transferred to England, and they remained there until discharged from the Army in 1948. They sailed to Argentina where they worked and played while waiting for a Visa to come to the United States. In December 1951 they arrived in Los Angeles and found a charming apartment at 145 South Burlington Avenue where she lived for 33 years.

Mama immediately found work as a nurse's aide at St. Vincent's hospital and worked until daughter, Janet was born. Then she dedicated her life to the job of mother and homemaker. 6 years later, the family was completed with the birth of 2nd daughter, Barbara.

Mama was a voracious reader. She would stay up long into the night reading the latest novel or biography she had brought home from the library. She was a wonderful cook and took great joy in feeding family and guests. She was insulted if you didn't take seconds.

Later in life, she took delight in being Babcia to 5 grandchildren whom she enjoyed spoiling. They, we, were her life. The onset of Alzheimer's took the Babcia we knew from us 8 years ago. Today her soul is at peace.

She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband at Holy Cross Cemetery on Friday, May 28th after a memorial mass celebrated at Our Lady of Bright Mount Polish Catholic Church in Los Angeles.

Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell Mortuary (562) 425-6401