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Maria Orlowski Obituary

ORLOWSKI, MARIA B., Ph.D. / MIRIAM WINTER Age 81, of Jackson died on Saturday, July 19, 2014. She was preceded in death by her husband, Romuald, in 2011, and by her mother, father, and brother, Majta-Laja, Tobiasz, and Jozef Winter, who were murdered in the Holocaust, as were many other relatives. She is survived by her sons, Daniel Winter and David Orlowski, grandchildren Ava and Josef Winter, and their mother, Iris Winter, all of New York, and by relatives in the United States and Israel. A child survivor of the Holocaust in Poland who survived by adopting a false identity, she immigrated to the United States in 1969 and moved to Jackson in 1979. She wrote and published her story of survival, "Trains: A Memoir of a Hidden Childhood During and After World War II", under the name of her birth, Miriam Winter. She was a beloved author, teacher, and member of her community, who touched many lives. Among numerous honors and accomplishments, she was particularly proud of her Ph.D. in theatre history from Michigan State University, her honorary doctorate from Albion College, and being named Outstanding Adjunct Faculty of the Year at Jackson College, where she had taught for decades and directed plays in the 1980s. Many people in Jackson admired the garden that she and her late husband cultivated from the time they first moved to town. For those who wish, contributions in her memory to Temple Beth Israel (801 W. Michigan Ave., Jackson, MI 49202) or the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl. SW, Wash., DC 20024 or donate.ushmm.org) would be appreciated. A public memorial gathering will be announced at a later date.

Published by Jackson Citizen Patriot from Jul. 21 to Jul. 27, 2014.
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Memories and Condolences
for Maria Orlowski

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Dear David, Daniel & families.

Your mother was a bright light & inspiration to so many of us.

19 years ago, I met her walking thru Cascades Park with my husband to be; she recognized him (his dad was a faculty member), & our friendship began. We saw each other several times a week at the YMCA or Cascades Park- often stopping to chat & share as well. I would like to believe that the little bit of medical advice she would ask when wanting another opinion was helpful, however, what she brought to my life was invaluable & so special. She was my first friend after moving here, showed me that Jackson had alot to offer in the Arts, learned alot about gardening & home maintainance...& how to begin to deal with grief. When talking about my own mother who I lost to COPD 5yrs ago, she put her fist over her heart & said "To cry when I need to, but not to be sad because you live thru her & she's in here.." thumping gently on her chest. I share those words with you, as I hope in time,you can evenutally do the same.

With Love, Leslie Taylor-Oring

Leslie Taylor-Oring

August 12, 2014

I wish I could have met her. Jackson should be so proud, to have known her.

Chris Law

August 10, 2014

To all of you who have shared you warm regards and recollections, you have David's and my gratitude, as well as that of our mom's grandchildren as they continue their journeys on this lovely little planet. May you all be as blessed as the wishes you share with us here. Perhaps time in the not too distant future will allow for further, happier reflection; it is still early in the process for us. I am so moved by your expressions here that I was compelled to add my thanks.

Daniel Winter

July 28, 2014

So sorry to hear this news. What a delightful charming lady. I consider myself privileged to have met her and serve as her escort when she spoke at Albion College and received her honorary degree. Rest in Peace!

Marie Ames
Albion College

Marie Ames

July 26, 2014

Daniel and David, There are not enough words to share my deepest sympathy to each of you on the loss of your Mother. Dr.Orlowski wasn't just a theater professor she was the brightest light for our stage the classroom. I had the distinct honor to have your Mom as my Theater Professor in 2007-08. Of all the tremendous classes I had taken at JCC, your Mom's was the most exciting. Not because it was a Theater class, no sir. it was the Life your Mom breathed into to class with her sincere emotional passion she taught all of us. We laughed, cried and most of all learned how to create the character from our hearts because of your Mom.

I recently a few yrs ago, revisited JCC right after my Bachelors in Communication from EMU. She was enormously proud of my accomplishments at Eastern and was exhilarated that I chose to continue my higher education. In closing, always remember that God has reserved a place for each of us who Believe and the day of rejoicing will be the greatest Act ever created. My prayers are that God will in the coming months and years grace his love and faith in each of you. I will be walking in Memory of your Mom at the Relay for Life at Cascades next Fri find me at the Women's Life Group Tent. Rest Eternally Great Servant till we rejoice someday.
Douglas Brinker BS EMU 12
JCC AA-BAU 08
Energizers 477 Toastmasters
Immediate Past President 2013-14

Doug Brinker

July 26, 2014

I will miss your kind smile, warm heart and tender voice. I will always remember you as the one of the strongest women I've ever known. May your spirit soar on sunlit clouds. Peace be with you and always.

Janet Meyer

July 25, 2014

Dear Daniel & David, My sincere sympathy to you both & your extended families. Both of your parents were very special giving & caring friends and longtime neighbors. Never without a smile or time to chat & share their
stories & cheerfulness. What a joy to have had them in my life. Carole Briggs

July 23, 2014

I grieve for Jackson and for Maria's family. An incomparable poet, teacher and friend, Maria moved me deeply, through her book Trains, her poetry readings, and even casual conversations in the lounge or copy room at JC. Thank you, Maria, and bless you. Rest in peace.

Ted Miller

July 23, 2014

A truly sweet lady. We loved hearing her stories. Us girls at Neighborhood Dry Cleaners will miss her smiling face.

Lori Whitlock

July 23, 2014

A genuinely lovely human being in every sense of the word. By being herself, she created an artwork of her life. We loved her.

David and Audrey Leamon

July 22, 2014

Maria is in my heart and mind..she is truly a woman of valor. At Holocaust conferences we have shared our stories, developed a strong bond with each other, danced and hugged and cried…she is such a treasure and I will miss her so much

Barbara Cohen

July 22, 2014

A truly wonderful person. We were fortunate to have known her.

Scott Oring

July 22, 2014

Such a wonderful lady in every way.

Sharon Beaghan

July 22, 2014

Our deepest sympathies......a dear friend who always made each day better for those she saw.
An inspiration to each person she met and those who knew of her. Fondest memories of the petite lady who made a a tremendous impact .........
Our love,
Ron and Sharon Griffith

July 22, 2014

We were sisters...not by blood, but by friendship. Laurie LaZebnik

Laurice LaZebnik

July 21, 2014

Maria,
Thank you for sharing your story, your memories of that time of upheaval. Young readers will benefit greatly because you dared--and persevered.

Bill Younglove

July 21, 2014

May you be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. Your mother was such a wonderful woman and I'm better for having known her. My thoughts are with you, David and Daniel, and with your families as well.

Laurel Leamon

July 21, 2014

Thank you, Maria, for letting me spend time with you last year in New York, and just this past spring in Jackson, when you were so full of cheer and energy that no one would have known you were ill. You have been an inspiration to me and so many more. Thanks to your beautiful memoir, you will continue to inspire others for generations to come.

With love and fond memories,
Adele

Adele Ahronheim

July 21, 2014

A wonderful person who was always a joy to speak with.

Gale

July 21, 2014

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