Anna Polewchak

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Anna Polewchak announce her passing on February 9, 2021, at home, with her loving daughters by her side. Anna passed one week and one day after her 86th birthday. She was able to enjoy her chocolate birthday cake (her favorite) and cards one more time. Anna was the daughter of Ahafia and Alexander Fedirko, who came to America via Ellis Island in the 1920's. A graduate of Battin High School in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Anna was not just a great student, she and many others were witness to history when three plane crashes happened within a 58 day period. The second of these crashes occurred when a passenger plane skimmed the top of Battin High school as Anna was walking home. Anna had never become an avid flyer after seeing, hearing, and sensing such devastation.

While living in Elizabeth, Anna was a member and communicant of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church wherein she was involved in many organizations, including the Ukrainian American Youth League. It was during this time that she met the dashing man of her future, William Polewchak. This was a jubilant and fantastic time when peers met in large groups and their needs for religion, faith, fellowship and camaraderie would be met. The nexus of everything was the church.

After secretarial school, Anna worked as an executive assistant in the patent division for Exxon (formerly known as Esso). Several years after marrying William, Anna and William (Bill) moved to Texas with their family due to Bill's swift move up the corporate ladder. The family moved to Houston in 1970 to a custom home that Bill designed and Anna decorated. Every brick, gate, beam, arch, marble slab was hand chosen by them; every floor covering, window covering, decoration and accoutrement was chosen by Anna. She had incredible taste with a very keen eye for form and beauty.

While in Texas and missing her Ukrainian roots, Anna started up the "Ukrainian American Cultural Club". There was no such organization like it. This club spotlighted the beautiful artistry of Ukraine: its music, art, dance, perils and history. The purpose of the club was to provide a hub wherein Ukrainians in the Houston area could congregate, as well as to spread the culture of majestic Ukraine to Houston and the surrounding areas. Anna was the original founder of this club, was the first president, directed the logistics, wrote the monthly newsletter and ran the monthly meetings. Those monthly meetings were such a social happening they sometimes turned into 4 hour get-togethers! This club is still active today, 51 years after its inception by one woman with a vision and a dream.

Anna also spent her time in Houston learning arts and crafts, interior design, and league bowling (she averaged a 250!). She was a member of the neighborhood gardening club, a Brownie Den Mother and activity leader for the Girl Scouts. She upheld every detailed Ukrainian tradition at every holiday and Holy Day. She was famous for her holuptsi (stuffed cabbage), her cheesecake, and her mashed potatoes. She could whip up a 5 course meal at the drop of a hat, and could make a gourmet sampler with leftovers. She loved to entertain, and no one ever left her home hungry! She was a giver, and anyone who knew her even for five minutes would agree.

After moving back to New Jersey in 1983, Anna was a caregiver to her aging parents, and to her husband. She took pristine care of William until his death in 1991.

Anna was an animal lover. She loved cats. And dogs. And deer. And chipmunks. And squirrels. And horses. And birds. You would often find her in the yard gardening, or hanging a new bird feeder and feeding the myriad feathered creatures. She would always be on lookout for a red cardinal, that was her favorite. She volunteered her precious time to the Monmouth County SPCA for several years. She would come home completely exhausted but completely

happy. Anna was also a longtime member of the Colts Neck Women's Club where she held several offices and events over the years. No one ran a yard sale quite like she did, and no one single handedly raised as much money as when she was the chairperson of such events. Anna was also a member of the Colts Neck Senior Group.

If you ever received a note, a card, a letter, or a perfectly wrapped gift from Anna, you would know just how thoughtful she was. She could shop a year in advance for that perfect card or most fitting gift. As we chart our course through the uncertainties of life, there was one constant: Anna always remembered birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and special occasions. Receiving correspondence from her WAS a gift. She made everyone in her company feel appreciated and treated you as if you were the most important person in the room...because you were. She even gave away one of her cars to someone in need! To all of you who were so kind, who sent Anna a posy, a card, or a handwritten note during her illness, the family thanks you. She felt that a lovely card was the most simple yet most special gesture one could do for another to show love and concern. Anna was a loving friend, wife, sister and mother. She will be missed on earth, but without a doubt will be greeted with open arms into the Lord's heavenly kingdom.

She is predeceased by her husband William Polewchak, her brother George Fedirko, and parents Ahafia and Alexander Fedirko.

Anna Polewchak is survived by her two daughters; Lisa Anne Polewchak of Roselle Park, and Dr. Evan Polewchak Jasinski of Colts Neck, NJ and brother Michael Fedirko of Linden NJ.

The family would like to thank Kindred Hospice and the dedicated workers in the field and in the offices at Visiting Angels, Red Bank. You all were a blessing to the family in Anna's time of need.

The Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 11:00AM in St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church, 309 Grier Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ 07202 followed by interment in St. Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia, NJ.

Visiting hours are Tuesday, February 16, 2021 from 1:00PM to 4:00PM at Krowicki-McCracken Funeral Home, 2124 East St. Georges Avenue, Linden, NJ 07036. Parastas will be at 2:00PM.

Contributions, in her memory, to Monmouth County SPCA, 260 Wall Street, Eatontown, NJ 07724, Colts Neck First Aid, PO Box 21, Colts Neck NJ 07722 (www.coltsneckfirstaid.org/donation) or the Alzheimers Association (alz.org) are appreciated.