This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: MAKOWSKI, JACOBS, DZIEGIELEWSKI, DRZYMKOWSKI Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/22519/mb.ashx Message Board Post: MAKOWSKI, Henrietta "Henia" Henrietta Makowski (Henia) was a 9-year-old girl tending a flock of geese when Germany invaded her native Poland at the start of World War II. As she was crossing the bridge that led to her family's farm, she heard strange whistling noises all around. She later learned these were caused by bullets fired by soldiers in the surrounding forest and fields. She defied the odds that day and over the next 5.5 years in occupied Poland to not only survive, but thrive in her full life. During her 20's, she chose to work a variety of jobs and travel throughout Poland rather than marry. When visiting family in Western New York on a tourist visa, she met her future husband, Joseph Makowski, on a blind date. They married in 1962 and raised a family in Western New York, where they worked for the New York State government, owned a farm and operated rental properties. She was proud of becoming an American citizen and felt she had lived the American dream. A hardworking and energetic woman, s! he did not see retirement as a time to relax. She volunteered for her church, often cooking or baking large quantities of food for various functions. She loved gardening and enjoyed her flower garden, vegetable garden, fruit trees and berry bushes as well as working part time seasonally for a nursery. It was not uncommon for strangers driving by her home to stop to admire her flowers in full bloom. Friendly by nature, she would invite passersby for a tour of her garden, talking about the different varieties of flowers and offering to save seeds. Proud of her Polish heritage, she often shared her knowledge at ethnic festivals, schools, and museums. She will be remembered by many for her kindness and generosity. Her door was always open and her kitchen filled with hospitality. After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Henia moved with her husband to Kalamazoo, MI, in June 2006, to be closer to her daughter. Throughout her illness, she kept a positive upbeat attitude. She ! died on March 9, 2008 at Rose Arbor Hospice. Henia is survived by her husband, Joseph and daughter and son-in-law, Christina and Tony Jacobs in Kalamazoo, MI; sons, Joseph and John Makowski; daughter-in-law, Debra Makowski; sister and brother-in-law, Jadwiga and Frank Dziegielewski in Western New York; son and daughter-in-law, David and Tracy Makowski in Brooklyn, NY; brother, Jozef Drzymkowski in Poland and six grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Portage, at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 15th with a reception to follow at the home of her daughter. Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 3/12/2008. (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.