Maria Garlewski

Maria Garlewski passed away on Saturday, October 6, 2012 in the company of her family at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in Hamilton, New Jersey. Maria was born in Poland on March 7, 1922. Maria was 17 years old when the Germans invaded Poland during World War II. She came to America in 1963 with the assistance of her brother, Jan Chmiel and her son, Edward Chmiel. Jan Chmiel had been in the Polish Army and was captured during the Nazi invasion, and served as prisoner of war in Dachau concentration camp. When the camp was liberated, Jan Chmiel immigrated to America. The Chmiel Family, believing he was killed during the war, was surprised to find that he was alive and living in America.

Once immigrating to America, Maria resided in Perth Amboy, New Jersey and worked at Perth Amboy Hospital as a housekeeper. Maria was active in the Rosary Society at Saint Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church in Perth Amboy and the Polish American Club.

Maria’s “Babcia” main interests were her son, Edward, his wife, Stanislawa “Stella”, and her grandkids: Edward, Krzysztof, Barbara, and Mark. Babcia was loved tremendously. Family was her focus and her free time was spent with them.

Maria retired in 1987 from the hospital to care for her sister in-law, Magdalena Chmiel, who was ill with cancer. Babcia moved to Bordentown in 1995 to spend her “golden years” with her son, Edward and his wife, Stella. Babcia enjoyed many good years until she developed diabetes and eventually lost her leg at the age of 83 in 2005. She was able to push on for five more years until she lost her other leg in 2010. The last two years of her life, Babcia suffered tremendously because she was bedridden while she resided at the Acadia Care Facility in Hamilton, New Jersey.

Maria, “Mom, Babcia and Grandma” (as she was known to her seven great grandchildren) was loved unconditionally and will be missed tremendously by her loving son, Edward and her beloved daughter in law, Stanislawa “Stella”; Grandson, Edward and his wife, Debra Chmiel, their two children: Alexis Brooke and Edward “Jonathon”; Grandson, Krzysztof “Chris” and his wife, Laura Chmiel their three children: Eric Krzysztof, Emily Jane, and Elise; Granddaughter, Barbara and husband, Illya Goldberg, their two children: Jessica and Benjamin; and Grandson, Mark Chmiel.

Kochanca Babcia dać wieczne odpoczywanie i Niech Bóg wam błogosławi

Dear Grandma Rest in Peace and God Bless you!

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 11th 11am at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church located at 45 Crosswicks St. Bordentown City. Calling hours will be held on Thursday Morning from 8:30 to 10:30 am at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Bordentown Cemetery located in Bordentown.

Arrangements are under the direct care and supervision of Robert L. Pecht, Bordentown Home for Funerals, 40 Crosswicks St. Bordentown, NJ 08505.

Please go to Maria’s book of memories page at www.Bordentownhomeforfunerals.com to light a candle, make a donation or offer condolences to the Chmiel family.