Irene Czerski, 90, a longtime Sedro-Woolley resident, passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2013 at the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley
Irene was born on July 23, 1923, the daughter of Franciszek and Kanstantina Szyja, in Ostrzeszow, Poland. She made her home there until Germany invaded Poland and she was taken to Germany in 1940 as a civilian slave until she was liberated by U.S. Soldiers in 1945. She was united in marriage to (Waldaslaw) John Czerski in 1945 in Germany and they came to the United States in 1949, making their first home in Bellingham, moving to Sedro-Woolley in 1950. In 1951 they moved to Longview, WA, returning to Sedro-Woolley in 1955.
Irene enjoyed being with her family and friends, playing bingo and going camping. She was also a longtime and active member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Sedro-Woolley.
Irene is survived by her children and their spouses, Joe & Susan Czerski of North Pole, AK, Merek Czerski of Sedro-Woolley and Lilyann & Jerry DiPietro of Everett, WA; Four grandchildren, Lori Blackwell, Gary Czerski, and Emily and Sarah Rae DiPietro, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; a great-grandson, Kramer Blackwell and several siblings.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Sedro-Woolley with Father Martin Bourke, Celebrant. Interment will follow at Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery.
I Miss You Mom!!!!!
Love always Your daughter Lilyann
Joe, Merek and Lily,
I remember the day that I first met Irene and John and the wonderful welcome they both gave me. I was privilaged to become a part of the Czerski family as their daughter-in-law and to also have them as my Godparents.
My fondest memories are of Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter when the whole family got together to celabrate, laugh and eat until we couldn’t move. There were card parties with the other Polish families and I would listen to them talk in Polish and Irene always threw in enough english so that I would know what was being said. I found out very quickly that the Polish families really knew how to put on a party. There was always dancing and John and Irene would dance away the night. I loved watching them dance. They reminded me of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astair.
Irene and John will always hold a very special place in my heart. I am sure that John and Kramer were waiting for her with great big hugs and kisses.
To say they will be missed is so inadequate!
Lilyann and family, our thoughts and prayers are with each of you at this time. Your mom was a special lady.
Love, Beth
Dear Czerski Family,
On behalf of our family including Walt and Marion, we send our love and condolences. Irene was an amazing soul who lived so positively through her incredible hardship in Germany. I remember sitting with her out by our garden on a sunny, quiet day when she shared some of her stories. I am so grateful for the many times she stopped and taught me. I think of her humble way, her love of her family and John. She lived perseverance, trust, faith and superabundance of love. There was nothing Irene couldn’t do! She would tuck her purse under her arm and say, “I got my lady” – her rosary.
Love, Catherine