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Wanda Tomczykowska Obituary

Wanda Bronislawa Tomczykowska B.8/29/1921 ~ D. 3/2/2010 Founder and President for 38 years of The Polish Arts and Culture Foundation in San Francisco, recipient of numerous medals and commendations from Poland and the American government for her untiring promotion of Poland's rich heritage. Her fervent patriotiotism, propelled by what she had endured in WW2,lived long enough to finally see Poland's freedom from oppression. Changing the lives of thousands, Pani Wanda as she was affectionately called, will be missed by everyone who knew her. Her fascinating life account can be found on Wikipedia. A longtime resident of Berkeley and Oakland, Wanda was active in the civic and cultural life of the Bay Area. On Tuesday, March 2, 2010 Pani Wanda finally succumbed, in Krakow, Poland, to the ravages of old age and diabetes. While vacationing in Poland in May 2002 she suffered a series of strokes, which prevented her return to San Francisco. She is survived by her grieving daughter Caria, loving grandchildren Remy, Dariana and Sebastian Szykier and great-granddaughters Hennessy and Lillian. She was predeceased by Caria's daughter Andria and son Damien. There will be a Holy Mass and Celebration of Life on March 20th at St. Ignatius Church (Fulton and Stanyan) at 2:15pm in San Francisco. Memorial Masses will be celebrated in Warsaw and Krakow, Poland in mid-April. In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible donations may be sent to The Polish Arts and Culture Foundation, 4077 Waterhouse Road, Oakland, CA 94602 http://www.polishculturesf.org

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Mar. 7, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Wanda Tomczykowska

10 Entries

Gloria Neiswender

September 15, 2020

I am sad to know I met her In 1970,, and participate in one of her programs representing Guatemala C. A.

Mariusz Piotr Krawczyk

March 23, 2010

Dopiero dzisiaj dowiedzialem sie o Twoim odejsciu i jest mi z tego powodu bardzo przykro, bo mielismy przeciez Ciociu przez dlugie lata bardzo serdeczne kontakty.

Bylas niezwykle ciekawa, kreatywna, wspaniala postacia w naszej Rodzinie i z pewnoscia o Tobie nie zapomnimy.

Spoczywaj w spokoju !

Mariusz

Howard Hersh

March 16, 2010

While Music Director at KPFA, I was honored to collaborate with Wanda on presenting music from Poland. She was gracious and inspiring in her advocacy, a kind, gentle, and dedicated presence.

Baiba Vija Strads

March 16, 2010

Wanda was an amazing woman--a true inspiration & example of how much one person can accomplish & make a difference in this world. Deepest sympathy to the family.

Charles Shere

March 16, 2010

Wanda Tomska, as I knew her, invited me to her gracious home for tea sometime in the 1960s. She was devoted to the culture of her heritage and was thanking me for the little I did at KPFA to serve it. She never knew how affecting and effective her gesture was to me. She was a very good woman.

Joan Bajsarowicz

March 15, 2010

Dear Wandziu,
With your death I have lost a good and faithful friend, --but not the memories we share, which will always live in my heart. Our time together has enriched my life and given it dimensions of meaning I shall forever cherish.
Kocham Cie
Joan

Nicholas J. Feduska, M.D.

March 11, 2010

In this life, one is occasionally privileged to meet and know some individuals who will forever leave a lasting impression. Wanda was such a person, in part because she was such a staunch advocate of everything good, and also because of the intensity with which she valued her proud Polish heritage. The special friendship which I was privileged to share with her will not be forgotten, and neither will that last dance that we enjoyed together at the Polonaise Ball so many years ago. May she rest in peace.

Carolyn Goodrich

March 10, 2010

We have lost a truly great lady, a champion of Poland, Polish art and culture, and friend. Her quick wit, love of life, impeccable taste, gracious style, engaging smile and glittering eyes will remain in my heart forever.

Athur Mrozowski

March 9, 2010

Please rest in Peace We will remember all the little Poland that you have implanted int the Bay Area. I will never will forget Mr. Tomczykowska's Annual Polonaise Ball's in San Francisco. It was so much fun. Arthur Mrozowski

March 9, 2010

That Pani Wanda rest in peace! To have such a wonderful daughter in Caria, she herself must have been a wonderful woman. I wish I had met her. I shall be at the memorial mass at Saint Ignatius.

Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results

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