Halina Gramza, nee Krajewska, age 91. Beloved wife of the late Czeslaw. Loving mother of the late George (Lynne) and Victor (Melissa). Proud grandmother of Jason (Samantha), Andrew (Susan) and Aleksandra. Dear sister of the late Lucyna (the late Zdzislaw) Wasiak, and Wiktoria (the late Ryszard) Soszynski. Also Survived by loving nieces and nephews.
Halina showed her fighting spirit by staying alive through World War II. Forced to leave her native Poland, her journey took her to refugee camps in Siberia and then Uganda, Africa, where she remained until the war’s end. She then went to England – where she fell in love, married, had two sons – and then finally to the U.S., settling in Chicago. Halina lived her final years in Florida to be with her family.
Well known in Chicago’s Polish community, Halina was active in Harcerstwo (Polish youth organization) and other volunteer organizations. For two decades, she hosted WEDC radio’s Polish Sunshine Hour featuring music, news, interviews, and topics of interest to the city’s Polish Community. She proudly held the nickname of Chicago’s Polish Sunshine Lady, a distinction once held by the station’s original owner.
Above all else, she loved her family and put everything and anything into caring for them. She was selfless, kind, and will be remembered for her feistiness and determination.
What a great journey Halina!
Visitation will be Friday, February 22, from 4-8 PM at Malec & Sons Funeral Home, 6000 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago. Funeral prayers Saturday, February 23, at 9 AM at the funeral home, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM at St. Tarcissus Parish, 6020 W Ardmore Ave, Chicago Interment Maryhill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Dom Harcerski Chicago.
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