Eleanora Filipowicz

Eleanora "Nora" Filipowicz, 86, of Valparaiso, IN formerly of South Holland, IL, passed away Sunday, December 23, 2007 at the VNA Hospice Center. She was born December 25, 1920 in Macoszyn, Poland, which was a portion of the Ukraine, the daughter of Jakob & Maria (Stehnij) Szak, who were defenders of freedom for the Ukraine from the Soviets after 1918. Jakob served as an inspector of Polish schools between the great wars. On May 29, 1945 in Eisenach, Germany she married the love of her life, Dr. Roman Ivan Filipowicz, whom she had met in medical school in Prague where they both were students under German occupation during WW II. She left school in 1945, one year short of graduation, to flee westward from Soviet occupation. She assisted in her husband's medical practice, specializing in tuberculosis and pulmonary diseases in Gauting & Bad Woerishofen, Germany prior to receiving a visa to Venezuela in 1948 where she was allowed to serve as a nurse, and Roman practiced as a government physician for tuberculosis. Their medical practice in Venezuela led them to Cumana from 1948 to 1957, Maraciabo until 1959 and finally to Cabimas. In 1959 they received permission to emigrate to the U.S. where Roman joined his best friend from medical school, Dr. Oleh Dorozynsky, in practice in South Holland, IL. At this news he promised Eleanore that she would no longer have to work and could devote herself to their family of 3 children, all of whom went on to receive advanced degrees. Roman survives along with their 3 children: Dr. Daria (Jose) Marranzini, a pediatric neurologist, of Jacksonville, FL, Dr. Roman (Carol) Filipowicz, a neurosurgeon, of Valparaiso, Andrey (Anna) Filipowicz, an attorney, of Chicago, one brother, Bohdan Shak of the United Kingdom and seven grandchildren: Ellie & Gaby Marranzini, Andrew, Christopher, Tess and Hala Filipowicz & Alex Filipowicz, son of Andrey. Eleanore who was affectionately known as, "Myshka", or ,"The Little Mouse", was extremely helpful in the education of her children, having been fluent in 7 languages, and was always very generous where she could be of help. She also took great pride in becoming a naturalized United States citizen on April 14, 1970. A private memorial service was held in Valparaiso. Donations may be made to the VNA Hospice of Porter County.

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