Maria Kosztala Wozniak

Maria Kosztala Wozniak, 98, passed away peacefully in Apopka, Florida on November 27, 2023. Maria was born in Woła Batorska, Poland, the daughter of Franciszek and Julia Nazimek Szywała and the oldest of six children. Maria was a loving, compassionate woman with many talents: seamstress, knitter/crocheter, baker, organ and harmonica player, and singer. She was passionate and proud of her vegetable and flower gardens that she would often offer vegetables to her neighbors. She loved nothing better than to be outdoors in the sunshine or walking at the beach and most importantly to have her family surrounding her. She enjoyed reading The Bible. Luke 23:43 – And Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Raised on a farm, Maria didn’t believe in a sedentary life. Her energy was boundless. She worked for The United States Coast Guard Academy as a seamstress and Lawrence Memorial Hospital as a housekeeper.

Maria was a long-time member of the Saints Peter & Paul Polish National Catholic Church in New London, Connecticut where she was the lead organist and a choir member. She was also a long-time member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Norwich, CT. She lived in Waterford, Ct., for over 30 years, relocated to Orlando, FL, then to Sun City, AZ, where she was a member of Calvary Chapel Church. Later she moved to Altamonte Springs, FL before settling in Apopka, FL.

In 1939, when she was 14, she was taken from her home in Poland by the Nazis as a slave laborer on agricultural farms in Austria. After the war, she was released but didn’t want to return to a war-torn Poland. She had met Ukrainian Feodor Kosztala who was also in a forced agricultural labor camp, and they were married in 1951 in Germany. In 1952, they emigrated to the United States on the Sturgis ship, arriving in New York with five small children in tow. They settled in New London, CT and had three more children. The two were married for 24 years until Feodor died in 1976. Not only did they raise 8 children, but they helped raise other couples’ children. In 1985, she married Alex Wozniak, a carpenter from Bristol, Connecticut. Alex, who also was Polish, had 3 children from a previous marriage. Sadly, in 1987, he died.

She was predeceased by her Polish siblings Józef Szywała, Stanisław Błachowicz, and Krystyna Widła, and survived by Bolesław Błachowicz and Bronisława Nowak along with many nieces and nephews.

Maria was predeceased by two sons, Marion Kosztala and Józef Kosztala (along with his wife Eileen), one great granddaughter Liliana Davis, one grandson Christian Kosztala and is survived by Jan Kosztala, Steven Kosztala (Connie), Edward Kosztala (Bethany), Kristina Cutler (William) Stephanie Zeitler, and Jacqueline Bailey. She is also survived by 3 stepchildren, Adam Wozniak (predeceased), Kristina Fox (Nathaniel) and Bogumiła Wozniak (Douglas).

Maria’s 15 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren affectionately called her “Babka” (grandmother).

Her family is grateful for her loving heart and support and for many cherished memories. She will be dearly and sadly missed.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, May 4th at 10am at Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 181 Ocean Ave., New London.

Burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery, 638 Broad St., New London, Connecticut, 06320, 860-442-1301.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association or St. Jude Medical Center.