Ridgewood, New York
Getting It Just Right
Kazimierz Jakubiak is uneasy about that urn of trade center ashes on a table in his Queens living room. "It's mixed with the people who did this," he said.
His wife, Maria, loved this house, had tried so hard "to get it just right." That brick fireplace? He had promised to build it by Christmas, and now he has. Next to it hangs a picture of the couple on a cruise in 1997, just before a flood engulfed her parents' house in Poland. "She was crushed," he said. "It was the house she was born in."
In 1989, the Jakubiaks had the chance to emigrate to either the United States or Canada. "I want to see the Statue of Liberty," she had said, and it was decided.
When their youngest was 3 — their boys are 11 and 16 now, their daughter, 17 — Maria Jakubiak itched to go to work. After studying English and receiving an associate's degree, she got an accounting job at Marsh & McLennan, later studying nights for a bachelor's degree. Everything was clicking.
In August, shaken by a ride in a plunging, out-of-control elevator, Ms. Jakubiak, 40, took a few days off. "You could quit," her husband had said. But she loved her job, and especially the co-workers who were fresh out of college.
"She was like a mother to them," he said. "It was her first job in the U.S., and she was proud of it."
Sending our sincere condolences to your family. Always may God give the needed support and help as you continue to try to cope. Maria will be sadly missed and always fondly remembered.
The Lucas Family
October 27, 2018
So glad I got to know You What fun we had at my house in the pool with your kids and Jack and all the bbq we had . Till we meet again Always remember Apple Pie and Chevys
Kathy Seale
January 22, 2018 | Zavalla, TX
May 31, 2017
I visited World Trade Centre Memorial on Maria's birthday and took a picture just because there was a white rose by her name. Now I have learned more about her as a person be reading her obituary and guest book entries. I would like to honor her Memory.
Grazyna Rozycka, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Grazyna Rozycki
July 28, 2017 | Edmonton, AB
Maria
What can i say after all these years? Sitting with you in college, then working with you. The stories of your children, teaching me modesty, taking the elevator down with you because you were nervous because the evelvator fell with you 2 weeks before. I really wish you didnt come bck to work after that incident. You were the mother of our group, you were so happy. Just coming back from Pairs. Thanks for all the treats you brought us, how can i forget the poppy seed bread. ...
Friend Forever
May 23, 2014 | New York
Marysiu twoj usmiech zawsz ma w swoich oczach. Marysiu ja bylam pod budynkiem i patrzalam sie na tragedie i nawet nie wiedzialam ze ty tam jestes. Przeszlam tragedie patrzac sie na palace sie budynki. O twojej ttragedi dowiedzialam sie z news Zawsze mam cie w swym sercu, usmiech ktory nie przemija. Grazyna Ch.
June 19, 2012
Maria,
I rode in your honor last weekend on the 9/11 motorcycle ride. Hope I did you proud.
Mike Dalle
August 27, 2011 | Albion, NY
Marysiu, I will never forget you, you will always stay in my thoughts. I will never forgot your true friendship. Always i my heart. Your friend Grazyna CH.
October 04, 2010
Happy belated Birthday!!!
Doug Abraham
May 31, 2009 | Livonia, MI
Happy belated Birthday!!!
Doug Abraham
May 31, 2008 | Livonia, MI