Parish Life

Stella Skawinski celebrated her 100th birthday with a special Holy Mass celebrated in her honor. In attendance was her son, granddaughter and husband, and friends and parishioners. During the reception, Father Joseph Cyman expressed thanks for Stella’s continued dedication to the parish. She has lived a remarkable life, continuing to drive, going to Holy Mass every Sunday, attending meetings for Adoration Society, and donating her time and talents to the church. Stella is a wonderful inspiration of a positive attitude, laughter and caring for others.

Stella Skawinski is now part of an elite group of senior citizens: she is one of about 72,197 centenarians in the country, and the population of people living into their golden years continues to grow.

She has witnessed a lot in her century-long life, which began in the leap year of 1916 in Utica, NY, when Woodrow Wilson was President, the price of a first-class stamp was just two cents, electric refrigerators first went on sale for $900, hot dogs sold for a nickel and blue plate specials cost 50-75 cents. It was also the year Mr. Peanut was created and those who could afford one, drove model T’s. Hybrid cars, cell phones, and the Internet were many decades down the road.

Stella’s family left Utica when she was a child to return to their homeland of Poland, where she lived what she has often described as an idyllic life on a farm. But this was not to last, once Hitler came to power.

She was lucky: she escaped the invasion of Poland by the Germans and the ravages of World War 2 because in 1935 when she was 19, she happened to return to the U.S. to visit the country of her birth. She didn’t realize then that she would not be returning to her family farm: her parents told her to remain in Paterson with her godmother because of the turmoil underway in Europe. She never saw her parents again. They were sent to concentration camps, among the many Christian victims of the German Nazi terror.

Stella has lived through so much history: World War I, the Great Depression, World War 2, the Korean War, the Cold War, Vietnam, the war in Afghanistan, 9/11 and currently, the war on terror. And her life spans the presidencies from Wilson to Obama. Think of all the social and cultural changes she has seen from the 1930’s through today, including the civil rights movement and so many other revolutionary events. Overwhelming!

She has gone through many ups and downs in her own life, as many of you know: the passing of a husband and more recently, a daughter. Even her beloved cat, Puss, died not too long ago. But she has never let grief, setbacks, or disappointment defeat her: she has endured through thick and thin because of her indomitable spirit, eternal optimism, faith in humanity, strength of character, generous nature – always doing for others without expecting anything in return – and sense of humor.

It’s because of these qualities and other positive traits and talents like gardening (Victory and flower gardens, especially gorgeous roses), cooking (those divine Polish dishes like pierogies and stuffed cabbage), and sewing (she even designed and made clothing, knit, crocheted, and did needlework) that she has enjoyed many close friendships over the years, the affection of her remaining family, and the support of her church and community. — from a tribute written by Stella’s son, Larry Skawinski.

A note of thanks from Larry Skawinski

Thanks to Father Joseph and Deacon Bill for the lovely Mass they said for my mother Stella Skawinski before her 100th birthday party last Sunday. It really touched our hearts.

And thanks to all the great folks who helped set up for the party and those who attended this memorable occasion for Stella and our whole family. We appreciate the kind remarks and the memories several of you shared with guests.

Stella will never forget how you all made her 100th birthday an event to remember and cherish.

With gratitude and affection, Larry and Stella Skawinski