Czeslawa Zbawiona, 85, of Windham, NH passed away April 17, 2016 at the Warde Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Czeslawa Zbawiona was born on February 12th, in 1931 in an area of eastern Poland and Ukraine. As the Russian and German front passed through the west, resistance formed to fight newly installed communist regime. Czeslawa's brother was involved in the resistance and as a consequence, the family home had been burnt down. Her parents were sent to Siberia. Her brother was escorted, walking bare feet in the snow over 12 kilometers, then executed. Czeslawa at the age of 14, had then resettled with many others to the Northwestern part of Poland (former German territory). Approximately in 1951, Czeslawa met her future husband Czeslaw Zbawiony. As a young man, Czeslaw joined the (AK) resistance and he fought the new communist regime in Poland. Eventually he was surrounded, half of his partisans were executed and the remaining were sent to prison. After 5 years, he was released due to amnesty. After being released, his job was to then restore buildings caused by the war in Poland. Previous tortures in prison contributed to his early death in 1958. Czeslawa was left with 3 small children, the youngest being 7 months old. Being only 27 years old, she never got over his loss, therefore she never remarried. She struggled to survive and raise her children. In 1972, her 19 year old son escaped communist Poland and over the years he made arrangements for the family to move to the United States.

Despite all of the hardships with the war, she was able to have a loving marriage and she had three children, and later on three grandchildren all of whom she loved dearly. Czeslawa was known for her spitfire personality. She was the type of person that could light up a room with her infectious laugh and smile and always made sure to make her opinion matter. One of her absolute true passions was gardening. Czeslawa was always tending to her garden, making sure all of the vegetables and fruit was cared for, looking picture-perfect. She often went for long walks in the neighborhood and gave a big smile and waved to the neighbors. Although she had a limited English speaking capacity, she loved talking to everyone and reflecting on good memories. Czeslawa was also referred to as "Babcia" by her three grandchildren. Czeslawa loved to make her famous traditional Polish dish, pierogi. Her grandchildren often asked on a regular basis for her to make them because they were so delicious and full of flavor. She loved caring for her grandchildren and one of her most memorable ways to bond was over the joy of sharing food. 

Czeslawa had remained in New Hampshire during the last years of her life spending most of her time with her children and grandchildren. Czeslawa was a strong, independent, and loving woman. She will be forever missed and loved by friends and family.

Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 from 4 PM to 7 PM in the chapel at the Goundrey & Dewhirst Funeral Home, 42 Main Street, Salem, NH 03079. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 10 AM in St. Matthew’s Church, 2 Searles Road, Windham, NH 03087. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Methuen, MA. To send an online condolence, please visit, www.goundreydewhirstfuneral.com or www.facebook.com/GoundreyDewhirstFuneral.

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