Katarzyna " Kasia" "Yaya" Krolikowska

Katarzyna ”Kasia” Krolikowska, of Rockville, Maryland, passed away on October 29, 2021 surrounded by her family and close friends. Born July 3, 1987, Kasia left this world far too early. Kasia was a loving mother, wife, sister, and daughter. She was also a devoted and loyal friend to many, both here and around the world.

Born to Franciszek Krolikowski and Wieslawa Krolikowska in Gora, Poland, Kasia was the third of 4 children. Kasia graduated from secondary school in Leszno, Poland. At age 18, she left her family’s farm and moved to Chicago, Illinois to become an au pair for Josh and Kristen Jacobs where she cared for their eldest daughter, Quinn. In 2009, she joined the family of Joseph Lodato and Lisa Shah, helping them raise their three children Rowan, Tejis and Maya, for 9 years in Bethesda, Maryland. To them, she was “Yaya.” Kasia loved all of her “children,” and over the years she touched countless more with her thoughtfulness, through the friendships she so easily made and relationships she built in her communities. She treated every child as if they were her own, with love, grace, and the expectation of kindness. Motherhood was natural for her, and the children she cared for adored her as much as she adored them.

On November 21, 2016, Kasia married Dimitri Tselenchuk in the CourtHouse in Frederick, MD. Kasia and Dimitri settled first in Baltimore and then in Columbia, while Dimitri completed his PhD at Johns Hopkins University, and Kasia began her career at the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation as a Health Educator, where she helped countless families navigate the challenges of the disease. On February 12, 2019, they welcomed Liam Tselenchuk into the world, a beautiful sweet boy and the light of their lives. Liam was Kasia’s greatest gift. She spent every possible minute playing with him on the floor, running outside, reading to him, and teaching him Polish. When Kasia’s illness advanced, they moved to Rockville to be closer to family and friends, where she spent her final months surrounded by love, warmth and support.

When she arrived in America, Kasia spoke only Polish. Determined to earn a college degree, build a career, and make a life for herself in her new country, Kasia taught herself English on nights and weekends, ultimately achieving her certificate in English as a second language. In 2012, she matriculated in Montgomery College in Rockville, MD, where she earned her Associates Degree. Kasia completed her education at the University of Maryland, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from the school of Public Health in May 2016. It is there where she met Dimitri. She began her career advancing public health, and was loved by the many colleagues who came to know her at the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, Evolent Health, and Advantia Health.

In addition to Dimitri, Liam, and her parents, Kasia is survived by her sisters Magdalena and Asia, her brother, Krzysiek, her nieces, Edyta, Sophia, Kornelia, Emma and her nephew, Wojtek. Her legacy of love, kindness, and determination will be forever carried on by her family and the four additional children she raised, Quinn, Rowan, Tejis, and Maya.

We remember Kasia for her grace and grit, and determination to make her own way, often when the odds were against her. She had an adventurous spirit and a headstrong will—both served her well as she chased her dream, one that was sadly never completely fulfilled. We remember her for her love of the outdoors and taking long walks in the park. We will forever cherish her beautiful smile and playful sense of humor—she always knew how to make us laugh or lift our spirits. Those closest to Kasia remember her tender and giving heart, patience, kindness to everyone she encountered, and of course her love of children in whom she has instilled these values.