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BORN
1931
DIED
2018
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Gizela Gawronski Obituary
Gizela Maria (Trawicka) Gawronski, 87
CAPE ELIZABETH - Gizela Maria (Trawicka) Gawronski, 87, of Cape Elizabeth passed away at home on Aug. 8, 2018.
Gizela was born in Torun, Poland on April 20, 1931. Her father, Jan Trawicka, was employed in Gydnia, Poland by the Polish-British Steamship Co., LTD. Her mother, Anna, was a seamstress and a designer. When the Second World War started in the Fall of 1939, Gizela, then a refugee in Warsaw, was wounded and her right hand was amputated.
Her schooling only began after the war ended in 1945. In 1955, she obtained her master's degree in art history from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland. From 1956-1958 Gizela was employed in Desa antique shop in Gdansk as an appraiser and manager. There she met the American Merchant Marine Captain, William Gregory Gawronski, the youngest member of Adm. Richard Byrd's 1928 Antarctic expedition. They married in 1959 and moved to Northport, N.Y. in April of 1960. Together they built a house and a greenhouse, where then ran Buttonwood Antiques. Gizela also studied oriental art with Warren Cox.
In 1973, the Gawronskis sold their business and moved to Cape Elizabeth, where Gizela also sold antiques. Beginning in 1976, she studied the art of painting under the tutelage of Maine Artist Professor Lajos Matolscy. Gizela belonged to the Western Maine Art Group in Norway, Maine and was a member of St. Louis Church in Portland.
Gizela was predeceased by her husband; and by her brother, Romauld, from Torun. She is survived by her brother, Bogdan, and his family in Chicago, Ill.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 13, 2018, at St. Louis Polish Church, 279 Danforth St., Portland, followed by burial at Riverside Cemetery in Cape Elizabeth.
Arrangements entrusted to Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to:
St. Louis Church
https://stlouisportland.weshareonline.org/index.aspx.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gizela Gawronski
Twilight Zone
June 26, 2021
Just finished a wonderful book about her husband Billy called The Stowaway
by Laurie Gwen Shapiro.
Rest in perfect peace dear lady-unless
there is better...
Ed Kelley
September 2, 2018
I only recently became aware of Gizela and I did not know her but live in the same town. I am intrigued by what I'm learning of her fascinating life and am looking forward to learning lots more. My belated condolences to her family and friends.
Claudia Stefan
August 11, 2018
Gizela was a wonderful friend who was generous, open-hearted and kind. She shared the bounty of her gardens with everyone and her flowers bedecked my table many times. Her gift for story-telling was exceptional, and she surely had many fascinating stories to tell. She will be missed.
Leslie Lampert
August 10, 2018
Gizela was such a beautiful lady. I loved her humor, her art and all she taught me about life. I am going to miss her dearly!
Elizabeth Giglione
August 9, 2018
My aunt inspires me to live every day to the fullest and never complain about what life may throw my way. I will miss the incredible woman I was blessed to call my aunt.
Kendall and Phyllis Merriam
August 9, 2018
She was a wonderful muse opening up Poland to us. Sometimes I failed her, I did write around a dozen poems and plays for her and Poland which are free to anyone. Kindly, Kendall Merriam
The Estabrook Family
August 9, 2018
Deepest sympathies to the family. Gizela holds a very special place in our hearts, and will be greatly missed.
Angela Doucette
August 9, 2018
Very sweet and kind lady.
Victoria Saniuk
August 9, 2018
Gizela was a talented woman who will be missed by her friends and families. She always had a smile on her face. And was a regular at the Polish Mass at St Louis. Deepest heartfelt condolences to her brother.
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Hobbs Funeral Home - South Portland230 Cottage Road, South Portland, ME 04106
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