Florence Ann Szewczyk

Mrs. Florence Ann Szewczyk, 79, of Winston-Salem passed away Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007, in the comfort of her daughter's home, with family members in attendance. She was born Jan. 31, 1927, in Chicago, Ill., to Antoni and Anna Kopala. She graduated as class valedictorian from Wells High School and then attended the University of Illinois in Champaign. Living on the north side of Chicago in the Sauganash community, she was a troop leader in the Boy Scouts and an executive member of Our Lady of Good Counsel High School PTA, where she chaired high-school fundraising events attended by over 1,000 people. She was an active member of Queen of All Saints parish. Throughout her life she often aided and assisted many Polish migrs adjusting to life in the United States and assisted them in obtaining visas, permanent residency and eventual citizenship. She later entered into a 22-year career in commercial insurance, receiving a broker's license and became a vice president of Morton A. Fink Insurance Co. Florence embraced a love of gardening, cooking, Scrabble, literature, the Polish language and the fine arts (with memberships in the Chicago Art Institute, The John G. Shedd Aquarium, The Field Museum of Natural History, The National Academy of Sciences and Rosenwald Museum). During her life, she traveled the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii, numerous continents and foreign countries, such as China, Canada, England, Poland, Italy, Greece, Jamaica and Mexico. Florence was a dynamic woman full of interminable strength. Her wit and wisdom, which she shared freely and lovingly, will be sorely missed. Florence was steadfast in her devotion to her six children, nurturing and guiding them to successful careers - including three physicians, a dentist, a lawyer and, of course, an accountant. Her life was a gift to us. In keeping with her generous spirit, Florence donated her body to Wake Forest University School of Medicine. She lives on in the memories of her many friends and devoted family members including her children, Mark Sefcheck (Marcia Engleman) of Naperville, Ill.; Celeste Szewczyk (John Mueller) of Arlington, Va.; Marcia Szewczyk (John Burkart) of Winston-Salem; Michael Szewczyk (Susan Zurowski) of Columbia, Mo.; Claudia Szewczyk Streeter (Stanley Streeter) of Wyoming, Ohio; Conrad Szewczyk (Teresa) of Chicago, Ill.; and Jeffrey, whereabouts unknown; in addition to her 12 special grandchildren, Ross, Isabel, Jessica, Dana, David, Maddie, Matt, Max, Zach, Marlena, Jane and Warren; and Carol Smith of Auburn, Ala. (Aloha!) whom she always considered one of her daughters. Our special appreciation and gratitude are extended to the staff at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home and numerous loving caregivers. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at St. Leo's Church at 333 Springdale Ave., Winston-Salem, to be followed by a celebration of Florence's life. In lieu of flowers, Florence requested a donation to Catholic Social Services, 627 W. Second St., Winston-Salem, NC 27120.