Eugenia Wieszczek

Born in the beautiful countryside of Godowa, Poland in 1927 to Wladyslaw and Zofia Wnek, Eugenia was the oldest of seven brothers and sisters. She married her husband, Jan Wieszczek in 1950, and was a devoted wife for 56 years prior to his passing in 2006. In 1957, Eugenia was the first of her siblings to immigrate to the United States, living in Elizabeth until her passing. When her siblings immigrated to the US, often her home was their initial home until they settled nearby, which built the foundation for true closeness of all the families as they grew, and a lifetime of wonderful memories for all.

Eugenia was a devout Catholic, prayed the Rosary every day, and attended daily Mass at St. Adalbert’s in Elizabeth whenever she could. She was active within the parish, and part of many groups including the Rosary Confraternity with a deep devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary. For many years, she helped with annual parish fund raising efforts, helping to make thousands of delicious pierogis.

Due to World War II, neither Eugenia or her husband Jan ever completed high school. As she stayed at home raising her three boys, Eugenia was a seamstress, using her Singer sewing machine to make custom dresses. This helped send her boys to St. Adalbert’s grammar school. Later in life, she worked for many years at Elizabeth General Hospital in Housekeeping to help pay for her children’s higher education.

“Genia” enjoyed cooking and you could never leave her home without eating. She had many undocumented Polish recipes. Potatoes and meat were a staple in the Wieszczek household. However, her pierogis were simply the best. One could argue the secret was all the butter, however her secret mix of potato and farmers cheese and her patented pinching of pierogis left a taste like no other. For desserts, the placki z jabkem (apple cake), walnut cake, and multi-layer tortes were always present in her kitchen. As the family would say “Wszystko smakowalo”.

In her later years, she truly cherished all the calls and visits from everyone, especially her sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews. But nothing brought greater joy to Eugenia than spending time and talking with her son Ed and his wife Concetta, her son Chester, her son Rich and his wife Lauren, and her grandchildren Emily, Shannon, Sean, and Mary. She always loved catching up on everyone’s life and sharing many fascinating stories of her life. Holidays were always special, with lots of Polish traditions. Many memories of Christmas Eve at “Babcia’s” for “Wigilia” exchanging Oplatek, eating pierogies, eating mushroom borscht with potatoes and sauteed onions, or Easter at Babcia’s eating white borscht with kielbasy, ham, eggs, and horseradish. Her birthdays always included a healthy rendition of singing “Sto Lat”. The time flew but the memories will always live on.

Eugenia is predeceased by her husband Jan, sisters Wladzia and Hela, both of Poland, and brother Kazimierz. In addition to so many nephews and nieces, surviving are her sisters Emily and Stasia, brother Adam in Poland, sons Edwin, Chester, and Richard, daughter in laws Concetta and Lauren, and grandchildren Emily, Shannon, Sean, and Mary.

All who knew Genia knew her sense of humor, felt her warmth, and experienced her generous, loving heart. She was always there for anyone. Genia lived out her strong faith in God every day. She was a mother to all her family beyond her three sons. Genia was a devoted Wife, Mama, Siostra, Cioca, and Babcia. We were blessed all these years and will miss her dearly. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let the perpetual light shine upon her. Love you mom.

A wake for Genia will be held Monday, August 29, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Krowicki McCracken Funeral Home, 2124 East Saint George Ave, Linden, NJ 07036. Family and guests are invited to gather at the funeral home on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM. A funeral Mass will follow at 10 AM at St. Adalbert’s Church, 250 East Jersey St., Elizabeth , NJ 07206 followed by burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, E Edgar Rd, Linden, NJ 07036.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Center for Hope Hospice https://www.cfhh.org/donate.html .

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.krowickifuneralhome.com for the Wieszczek family.