Wanda (Balitzky) Chrznowski |
| Posted 2016-03-02 by Sharla |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, March 2, 2016 Wanda Chrzanowski “Hey, Richy! I’m home! Did you miss me?” These were the words Wanda Chrzanowski spoke when she arrived in Heaven on Feb. 1, 2016. What an incredibly full life this woman lived. She entered this world kicking and screaming, the only daughter of Polish immigrant parents, Vincent and Anastia Balitzky (she had two older brothers, Henry and Eddie). She excelled in scholastics, graduating from high school at 14, having skipped two grades in school. She attended the prestigious Pratt Institute in New York. To this day, we are certain she would have been a MENSA member, but she passed up a full scholarship to New York University and dedicated her life to her husband, raising four children, and impacting the lives of many. You could say that theirs was an arranged marriage. Her parents thought the handsome Polish lad working at the local meat market was an ideal mate and often sent Wanda to shop there. It worked. Wanda and Richy were married in New York in 1939. While on family vacation during the summer of 1957 Wanda fell in love with Wickenburg and a decision to permanently relocate the family from New York City to Wickenburg was made. Wanda had interests and passions for many things. She was an accomplished artist (she was a founding member of the Wickenburg Art Club) and she was a dedicated Catechist, teaching little ones about God. She was a vibrant and active member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Wickenburg. She started the first Girl Scout troop in Wickenburg. Those who knew Wanda knew her as a woman of elegance, strength, beauty and brilliance. She had an insatiable thirst for knowledge which she passed on to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as many students and friends. She shared the passion Richy had for the importance of family. She emulated the love of Christ by raising a family who have imparted to their families her supportive, encouraging, non-judgmental caring love for one another. Grief struck the family twice within a year. Richy went to Heaven on Dec. 8, 2008, and son, Richard, followed on December 31, 2009. Those who are earth-bound and awaiting a reunion in Heaven are her children Barbara Baxter (Bill), Ronnie Ahnlund (Lee), and Felicia Herriage (Anthony). Grandchildren are Michael, Sue, and Doug (Barb and Bill’s); Greg, Chris, Timothy, and Cory (Ronni and Lee’s); Daryl and Steven (Felicia’s), Brian and Cecilia (Felicia and Anthony’s) and Richard’s wife, June Chrzanowski and their children, Andrew, Sara and Jessica. Great-grandchildren are Sue Klumb’s Amy and Josh; Doug and Cindy Baxter’s Zack and Salem; Greg and Ahnlund’s Kayla and Noah; Andrew and Nadine Chrzanowski’s daughter Addison; Sara and Jaxon Luhr’s daughters Peyton and Brylee. Wanda’s family wishes to thank JoJo and Alma, who poured their heart and soul of love caring for Wanda in her last year of life. They are truly angels on this earth. A Mass of Remembrance and Celebration of the life of Wanda will be held at St. Anthony’s Church in Wickenburg at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 19. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of the Valley, a most precious organization that cared for both Wanda and Richy. See Also: Find A Grave |
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