Anna was born in Branica, Poland, and lived there throughout World War 2. She arrived in the United States in the early 1970s and became a fixture in the East Village restaurant/bar scene, dating to 1977.
She owned The Baltyk, a Polish restaurant on the corner of First Avenue and First Street. She also owned Downtown Beirut on First Avenue. Her final venture, Oasis Lounge, was located on St. Mark's Place just off Avenue A and closed in 1997.
From her obituary:
These businesses were built and run by Stanislawa while she was well into her 50s, 60s, 70s — a reflection of her tireless work ethic and unwavering belief in herself. Her businesses were a big part of her identity.More importantly, she was a devoted mother and grandmother, and nothing brought her greater joy than her family. She is survived by her daughters, Bozena and Barbara; her grandchildren, John, Robert, Diana, Kim, and Daniel; and her beloved four-year-old great-granddaughter, Kaylee, who brought her endless happiness.Stanislawa will be remembered for her strength and determination, and for the simple truth she shared so often with our family: "life is beautiful."
Previously on EV Grieve:
Rest In Peace, Anna
ReplyDeleteAna's death is very sad, but you know that for her, to have lived to be 100 was a mark of pride. My Babcia [Polish for grandmother] lived to 100, and even with blindness, deafness, and dementia, she was a proud Polka! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avD-GRmIoK8&list=RDavD-GRmIoK8&start_radio=1
ReplyDelete[The link at the end is the Polish national anthem: "Poland is not lost as long as we're alive."]
DeleteFlights of angels and godspeed.
ReplyDelete