Halina Margaret Witkowski

Carsonville – Witkowski, 84, passed away gently, Sunday, May 17, 2015, at McLaren Port Huron Hospital surrounded by the love of her family and friends.
She was born August 1, 1930, in Kielce, Poland, the daughter of a village school teacher and an aspiring chemical engineer. The ravages of World War II separated the family when parents first, then brother, Wally, escaped to the U.S., while Halina remained behind. Halina studied art history in Poland, earning her Master’s Degree in Art History from the Catholic University of Lublin. After World War II, she was twice imprisoned by the Communists for trying to escape to join her family in the U.S. After some time, the Communists allowed the reunification with Halina arriving in the U.S. at age 32, in 1957.
Ever aware of those who have less than us and who struggle, Halina, with her mother sent over 3,000 care packages over the years, with food and other needed items to those in Poland and other countries in need.
In the U.S., Halina worked as a travel agent and translator, which led to a career with AAA of Michigan, eventually as a claims agent. Halina welcomed the opportunity to travel to other countries to continue her love of classical music, art and literature. After retiring, Halina continued to devote her life to the service of others in caring for her elderly mother at home until she passed away at the age of 93, as well as her countless volunteer hours with Meals on Wheels, Project Blessing, and delivering mountains of cheese cakes for the Sanilac County Humane Society.
Halina had a love of nature and all its creatures. She was a voracious reader, gardener, and lover of birds, creatures of the forest, plants, herbs, and wild mushrooms. Halina was an environmentalist, with a strict adherence to recycling, and the determined and continued stewardship of the land, the woods and the entire planet. Halina loved her family, both in America, Poland, England and Switzerland.
She is survived by her brother, Wally Witkowski; nieces: Virginia Hardy, Carsonville, Halusia Witkowski, Carsonville, Krysia Witkowski; fiancé, John Coureas, Virginia; nephew Matthew Witkowski (Jane Inge), Virginia; great-nephews, Jesse Witkowski, and Ethan Branum; great-niece, Avery Branum, Virginia; as well as dearest friend, cousin and closest soul, Maciej Gasiorowski, Poland; and many caring relatives and good friends.
Halina was preceded in death by her mother, Helena Witkowski, 1997, father, Ludwig Witkowski, 1966, and niece, Elzunia “Liz” Witkowski, 2012.
A celebration of the beautiful life of Halina will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Port Sanilac on Sunday, May 24, at 2:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to Project Blessing and the Sanilac County Humane Society.