In Loving Memory of Leokadia Stancel Smigielski

Leokadia Stancel Smigielski, lovingly known to her family as Babcia, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of love, faith, strength, and family.

Born in Poland, Leokadia lived through some of the most difficult and defining years of the 20th Century. As a young woman, she endured the hardships and uncertainty of World War 11 in Poland, witnessing firsthand the devastation and tremendous sacrifices made by the Polish people. Those experiences became part of the strength that carried her throughout her extraordinary life.

Through war, hardship, change, and the many challenges that followed, Leokadia remained resilient. She built a life centered around her family, her Polish heritage, and most importantly, her unwavering faith in God.

Her faith was not simply something she practiced - it was a part of who she was. She carried it with her through the years and found comfort and strength in her relationship with the Lord.

Leokadia was a woman of strong character and a strong will. She loved her family deeply and took great pride in the generations that followed her. To those in the family who knew her, she was more than a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was Babcia - a name filled with love, memories, stories, traditions, and a bond that will never be replaced. To friends throughout her years here in the United States, she was affectionately known as Lorna.

Leokadia had lived an extraordinary life spanning a great many years. She witnessed a world transformed by war, technology, and generations of change. Yet she remained connected to the people and traditions that mattered most to her.

In her final days, she was surrounded by loving family and compassionate caregivers. Though her body had grown tired, her spirit remained strong. After a remarkable lifetime, she was ready to rest.

Leokadia leaves behind a family who will miss her deeply and carry her memory forward in all the years to come. Her stories, her strength, her faith, and the love she gave the family will remain part of them forever.

Spoczywaj w pokoju, Babciu. Rest peacefully, Babcia.

Your many years on this earth were a gift. Your life was a story of courage. Your faith was your strength. And your family was your greatest legacy.