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Susan Mikolajczyk Obituary
MIKOLAJCZYK
Susan (Shook), 59, of Odessa, FL passed away on December 21, 2011. Susan was raised in Clifton before moving to Tampa, FL to attend the University of Tampa and later settled in Tampa where she met her husband and raised her family. Susan was a woman with an enormous heart that she shared with everyone. Susan treated strangers as friends, and friends like family. Susan's heart was always with children, whether it was her own or the kindergarten students to whom she dedicated her life. She was honored as teacher of the year in Hillsborough County, FL in 2006 for her enormous achievements. Susan also started a free violin program and co-chaired many charity projects for underprivileged and sick children. She was beloved and honored by her co-workers and peers. Susan will most be remembered for the generous love she gave freely to everyone, especially her family. Beloved wife of Ronald Mikolajczyk. Devoted mother to Amy Callow and her husband Stuart of Brooklyn, NY, Kimberlee Francis and her husband Doug of Athens, OH, and Jennifer Moas and her husband Elan of Boca Raton, FL. Adored grandmother of Led Moas and Eleanor Callow and future grandma to Jack Moas. Cherished daughter of Eleanor (Zarucki) Shook of Clifton and the late Joseph Shook. Dear sister of Nancy Garretson and her husband Roy of Clifton, Wendy DiGerolamo of Cherry Hill, Joseph Shook and his wife Carolyn of Essex Fells and the late John Shook. Loving aunt of many nieces and nephews. Funeral Wednesday, 9 AM at the Shook Funeral Home, 639 Van Houten Ave., Clifton, and 10 AM at St John Kanty RC Church, Clifton. Interment, East Ridgelawn Cemetery. Visiting Tuesday, 2-4 and 7-9 PM. www.shookfh.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Susan Mikolajczyk
Lynn Boppel
January 25, 2012
Dont know where to start ms mik was 2 of my kids kindergarten teacher Nicholas is 22 and Candace Boppel 26 and also her kids babysat mine and I Lynn Boppel cut the family hair I remember how wonderful her kids were my kids loved her I had a third child witch is 13 I wish she could have experienced ms mik kind ways we moved to Orlando when was expecting my third child Rachel .my family and I have fond memories of ms mik and her family she will be missed we all loved her so much god bless Lynn Boppel
Jean, Bill, Nick, & Sydni Freeman
January 11, 2012
We will never forget Mrs. Mik. Nick & Sydni both were blessed to have had her as a kindergarten teacher. When I think of her I am flooded with hilarious and wonderful memories. Our Old McMickey's Farm tour where the old man was bitten on the bottom by a goose. Our kindergarten volunteer dinner @ Steak & Ale...her favorite. The indian name she gave Nick "Storm Cloud" which was perfect. Watching her sing the Witches Brew song with a totally straight face. Her daughter Jenn who babysat my children & became my friend. She'll never be far from our thoughts especially on Feb 26th, the birthday she shared with our son Nick. What a gift she was to all the people in her life. We feel lucky to have known her.
Susan Haley
January 9, 2012
We are so saddened by Mrs. Mik's passing. She was our son Timothy's kindergarten teacher many years ago. She took great joy in every challenge those young people presented. Tim drew a picture of her sitting at her desk (viewing her from behind) that made her laugh so hard! She was a very special lady. Our deepest condolences.
Mike waddell
January 6, 2012
Very sorry to hear about Susan's passing.You were so kind.I remember my first trip to your home in Tampa many.many, years ago with Joe.Your family was always so thoughtful and generous.
My prayers and condolences to Ron,your children and the Shook family.
Mike Waddell
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Luanne Dennis
December 28, 2011
I had the pleasure of working with Mrs. Mik at Westchase. She was a very, very caring teacher. Mrs. Mik made it a pleasure to come to work because of her caring personality. All her students and parents adored her! I know Mrs. Mik will be deeply missed by her family, students, and freinds!
Susan Martelli
December 27, 2011
My condolence to the family - Susan was a wonderful mother and teacher. She was an excellent teacher and as her former Principal I could not have asked for a better employee and friend. This is a loss for the education community!
December 25, 2011
Our condolence to the Shook and Mikolajczyk families. Susan's love and accomplisments as a daughter, mother, grandmother, wife, sister, educator, and friend speak for themselves. We all remember her be voted as "Teacher of the Year" about six years ago. She genuinely cared about people and it showed in how she lived her life. To all of her family, students, and friends, I would like to say, "The links of life are broken, but the links of love and longing cannot break. Her soul is bound up in yours forever. May the beauty of her life shine for evermore, and may your lives bring honor to her memory. God bless all of you."....The Rosen Family
December 24, 2011
We are heartbroken over the loss of Mrs. Mik. As a parent to 11 and 13 year old girls who both had Mrs. Mik for kindergarten, I've learned that the greatest gift of all you can gain from school is a love of learning. Mrs. Mik gave every student a love of learning that I've never seen matched. Mik created absolute magic in that classroom – a magic that engaged the entire family and not just the lucky child who was in her class. The amazing thing was how she repeated it every year with the same passion – you just don't see that very often.
Mrs. Mik – thank you all the wonderful memories and for creating the strongest foundation possible for Lauren's and Lindsey's education. You wrote in your goodbye to kindergarten letter that “goodbyes are difficult for me because every day in kindergarten is a celebration of life”. Perhaps it was God's plan all along to spare you from saying goodbye but there are lots of tears flowing in Tampa this week over that plan.
This Christmas we will be reflecting on the greatest gifts we have ever been given and one of them without a doubt was being selected for room 123 at Westchase Elementary School. Although we almost never saw the name Susan Mikolajczyk spelled out while in her class I hope to see it across a Hillsborough County School in memory of this amazing teacher. Mr. Mik, Amy, Jen, and Kim – we are so sorry for your tremendous loss. Mrs. Mik adored you and especially her grandkids and did not get to enjoy her grandkids for long enough.
Peter, Yvette, Lauren, and Lindsey Green
Sara DeMott
December 24, 2011
She was the greatest teacher. I remember her classes were the one thing I always looked forward to in school when I was a kid. I'm shocked that she's gone, but I know that she'll always be with those who loved her dearest. Thank you, Mrs. Mik, for everything.
Melina Byers
December 24, 2011
I am so taken aback. She was just one of the nicest, greatest, most genuine kindergarten teachers. Being homeroom mom to the adjoining kindergarten class last year, Mrs. Mik was always sweet, and always letting me sneak diet cokes from her... with a Coke and a smile! My daughter is very sad. Will will all miss her so much. Now Mrs. Mik will get to teach and spread her love amongst the children in heaven. God bless her.
Kathy Downs
December 24, 2011
To Sue Mik's family,I had the privilege of teaching 2 of her 3 daughters in kindergarten. All three are very special and beautiful young ladies as was their role model, Sue.
Our education community will be missing her passion, patience, knowledge and her love of all children. We are all better individuals for having had her in our lives. Her spirit continues in her family and all the children whose lives she touched. We all have an angel in heaven! Much love to her family. Kathy Downs
December 24, 2011
Mikolajczyk Family,
I had the good fortune to teach with Susan at Bellamy. She always had a positive outlook and amazing smile to go with it. She will be missed, but we know she will be smiling and guiding us from heaven. Rest in peace Susan. Dina Perez
Julie Escobar
December 24, 2011
We were unbelievably saddened by the passing of Mrs. Mik. Kindergarten teacher for two of my three children and countless other - she was filled with a love and joy abounding. She will be very missed. Much love to her family - our prayers are with you all.
C Kwan
December 24, 2011
Our school will not be the same without you. We miss you tremendously! Mikaela was so blessed to have had you in kindergarten for you were most certainly an Angel on Earth! Our prayers to your family.
Isabel Phifer
December 24, 2011
The news of Mrs. Mik's passing was one of those rare moments in your life when your breath is suddenly drawn away. I always thought of Mrs. Mik as our own "National Treasure." Her influence, character and integrity which helped mold hundreds of young minds will be felt 10-20 years from now. Today, we mourn the loss of an educator, friend and inspiration leader that touched the heart and souls of our young messengers we send into the future.... God Bless....Bob and Isabel Phifer
Bruce Rosen
December 24, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mikolajczyk Family during this sad and difficult time. What a wonderful job Susan did in raising her three highly successful daughters. She touched many peoples' and childrens' lives, and will be greatly missed. "Blessed is the person who lives with a good name and departs this world with a good name. The kidness she had shown, the love she had given, remain in everlasting remembrance. Susan's achievements are more lasting than granite, her devotion is an enduring legacy." Susan, Rest in Peace.
Karen Rich
December 23, 2011
Mrs. Mik....we were blessed to have had you make such a profound impact on our lives. We used to say we love you to the moon and back...now we love you to Heaven and back. Thank you for all that you taught Sabrina in the last semester. You helped her learn and grow so much. I don't know how we will be able to walk into your classroom in January and not be greeted with your warm smile and big hugs. Now, instead of being the Queen of Kindergarten, we need you to be our Kindergarten Angel and help us guide our children through this as in the coming days we will have to tell them that you are in Heaven now. They all love you so very very much so please guide us in teaching them about death. You made every day special for the children and we will forever be thankful for that. The song that the kids in your class sang to you just last month at our Pow Wow made us cry then and makes us cry even harder now:
Come stop your crying
It will be all right
Just take my hand Hold it tight
I will protect you
from all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry
For one so small,
you seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart, always
The memory of the children singing that song to you and the smile on your face will forever be cherrished. Mrs. Mik, you will live on forever in so many hearts especially the 17 sweet little 5 and 6 year old children in your class who love you to Heaven and Back. You made my little girl a better child and you also made me a better mother. You will forever be loved and missed and you will always be in our hearts.
Courtney and Callie Mehl
December 23, 2011
We both had Mrs. Mik in kindergarten. She really cared about us and made school fun. Thanksgiving was the best when we had costumes and did our feast. She gave us each names. We were "Asking Alligator and "Beautiful Butterfly". She was a wonderful teacher and our thoughts are with her family.
Jenn Alonso Villa
December 23, 2011
What an amzing teacher she was. My son had her for kindergarten many years ago and as he's set to graduate this year, we will always remember her as Nick's favorite teacher! She was always so creative and enthusiastic and loved what she did. Nick always wanted to visit her whenever he was out of school, but we never stopped by. The lesson we've learned today is that there's no promise for tomorrow so do and say what your heart tells you to do and never wait for the right time.
R.I P. Ms. Mik you will be so missed!
Nick Alonso a.k.a. "Asking Alligator"-her nickname for him.
Stacy S
December 23, 2011
She was a treasure to our school. God Bless her family.
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