Leona Knapp Hajec

Leona (nee: Knapp) Hajec, age 86 of Sterling Heights and formerly of Dearborn, died Friday, July 29, 2011. Leona was born September 30, 1924 in Detroit, Michigan the daughter of the late Peter Knapp and the late Agatha (nee: Sandel) Knapp. Leona was raised in Detroit and after high school attended Detroit District Dental School studying dental hygiene. Later she worked as a physicians aide to Dr. Frank J. Hodoski in Detroit until deciding to serve her country during World War II. Leona enlisted with the United States Army Womans Army Corps WAC on October 2, 1944 in Detroit Michigan and would later serve until August 5, 1946 attaining the rank of Coporal. She primarily worked as a physicians assistant during her military duties. Following her military service she settled back in the Detroit area, married and raised her family. Leona worked as a United States Postal Carrier for over 24 years. She was devoted to her church, of which she was a founding member, and her Polish heritage. Never one to sit still Leona stayed very active with many different organizations. First and foremost her beloved church St. Anselm captured many of her free time, also Leona was a charter member of Women in Military Service of America W.I.M.S.A. She volunteered her time or was a member of many organizations including, the Girl Scouts of America, the Polish National Alliance, Polish Legions of American Veterans, Friends of Polish Art, Project HOPE League of Greater Detroit, Council of Catholic Women, the Father Solanus Guild. Leona was the wife of the late Stanley Hajec, and the dearest mother of Stanley Jr. (Sylvia) Hajec, Andrea (George) Goodison, Iris Booth, and Mark (Julie) Hajec. She was the beloved sister of Geraldine Balewski, and predeceased by Genevieve Selak, William Knapp, Kathryn Grzanowski, Veronica Lipinski, Beatrice Chope, Carole Dolemba, and Chester Knapp. Also Mrs. Hajec is the cherished grandmother of Sarah (Joey) Secoy, Stacey (Jody) Burdett, Stephanie (Michael) Holcombe, Stanley Hajec, Christy (Darren) OBrien, Michael George (Shannon) Goodison, Matthew (Erin) Goodison, Michael John Booth, Jessica Booth, Bradley Hajec, Ann Hajec, and the loving great-grandmother of Tyler, Ethan, Aidan, Michael, Bristol, Trinity, Aidan, Felicity, Liam, Claire, Sean, Nolan, Emma, and Madelyn. Visitation for Mrs. Hajec will be held Monday 2-9 pm, with a Chaplet of Divine Mercy service at 3pm and a Scripture Service 7pm, at the D.S. Temrowski and Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Rd. at Common (12 mile). Mrs. Hajec will lie in state Tuesday 9:30am at St. Anselm Catholic Church, 17650 W. Outer Dr. in Dearborn Heights, until the time of the Funeral Mass at 10am. Celebrating the Funeral Liturgy will be Rev. Monsignor James A. Moloney. Interment will be on Wednesday at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek Michigan. Memorial donations appreciated to St. Anselm Catholic School or the Area on Aging 1B Respite Care. Please share memories of Leona at her guest book.