Zofia Kowalski

She is survived by her beloved husband, Kazimierz of 52 years; daughters Edie Brice (husband George Brice); and Monica Wanca (husband Lubomir Wanca); son Christopher Kowalski; grandchildren Matthew Brice, Emily Wanca, Nicholas Wanca and Shawn Brice; siblings Beata Mikolajewski and Piotr Szabelski. She was preceded in death by her siblings Jerzy Szabelski, Halina Lindnal and Kazimierz Szabelski.

After marrying the love of her life in 1974, she and her husband built a life rooted in faith, family, and hard work. In 1980, they immigrated to the United States in pursuit of new opportunities. They settled in Linden, NJ where they lived for 37 years. Her love of cooking led her to a career as a food preparation manager, where she often worked early mornings to ensure she could still be present for her children. In 2017, she retired and moved to Florida to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

Those who knew her will remember her as the heart of every gathering. She had a gift for bringing people together, whether around her table filled with delicious homemade Polish dishes or through her laughter and quick wit. She lit up every room she entered and made everyone feel welcomed, loved, and valued. Her kindness knew no bounds, and she found genuine joy in creating happiness for others. To know her was to feel like family.

She and her beloved husband shared a remarkable marriage spanning more than five decades. True partners in every sense of the word, they did everything together, from daily walks with the dog, errands, to family adventures, creating a lifetime of cherished memories side by side.

Her greatest joy in life was her family, especially her beloved grandchildren, who lovingly called her Babcia. She cherished every moment spent with them, creating memories through family gatherings and home-cooked meals. Her presence was a source of comfort, strength, and joy, and her unwavering love and concern for her family were evident in everything she did. She also found great happiness in tending to her garden, caring for her flowers and plants, and creating a home that was always warm, welcoming and inviting for family and friends. She will be be missed by many, and thought of often, but her spirit lives on and shines through her children and grandkids.