Irena Wiewiorowska

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at St. Pius X Catholic Church for Irena Sobolewska "Baci" Wiewiorowska who passed away peacefully on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 12, 2015 surrounded by her loving family. Reverend Monsignor James Gaddy, Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church in Lake Charles will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass. Concelebrant will be Reverend Steven C. LeBlanc, Pastor of St. Pius X Catholic Church. Mrs. Wiewiorowska was a resident of Lafayette and a member of the St. Pius X Catholic Church. Irena was born on March 17, 1932 in Lodz, Poland to Maria and Franciszek Sobolewski, the seventh of nine children. Irena’s childhood years were interrupted with WWII and the German occupation of Poland from 1939-1945. During these very difficult years, Irena experienced hunger and much tragedy. These dark memories were a source of great suffering, but also served as a lesson in survival and perseverance. After the war, the family moved to Gdynia in northern Poland, where she resumed her education. Irena later studied chemical engineering at the Polytechnic Institute of Gdansk, finishing with a Masters Degree. During her studies, she also met the love of her life, an Assistant Professor and Graduate student named Edward. They were married on June 24, 1956 and settled in the quaint town of Sopot, Poland. Irena worked in the paint and corrosion laboratories of the Gdynia Shipyard, and her family grew quickly with the arrival of her two children. The Communist Regime became the new oppressor of Poland after the war. In order to create a better life for their family, the Wiewiorowskis immigrated to New Orleans, LA in 1972 to join Edward’s family, who immigrated there many years earlier. In January, 1973 Irena began a new career in the paint and corrosion laboratories of Avondale Shipyard. At first, Irena had a difficult time adjusting to the new culture and mastering the English language. She missed her family and friends terribly. However, she soon began to develop a deep appreciation and love for this country. Though she always held her beloved Poland in her heart, and was very proud of her heritage, she saw America as the true land of freedom and opportunity. She never took things for granted, and was always very grateful for the many blessings during her life in New Orleans and later in Lafayette. Irena was loved by many for her zest for life, her strong spirit, and boundless energy. Her many passions included tennis, exercising at Red’s, playing bridge, singing, dancing, reading, traveling, entertaining and spending time with her family and friends. She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and a friend and will be missed by many. She was full of life and will most likely be remembered for her patriotic singing of God Bless America at almost any social gathering in a grateful appreciation for her love of her new homeland. She is survived by her son, Martin C. Wiewiorowski and his wife Cheryl, her daughter, Maria G. Breaux and her husband Michael J. Breaux, Sr., her brother, Eligiusz Sobolewski, sister Krystyna Filipiak and her husband Henryk, her grandchildren, Dr. Anne Leonpacher, Nicholas Wiewiorowski, Andrew Leonpacher and his wife, Alex, Elizabeth Wiewiorowski, Katherine Wiewiorowski and Michael Leonpacher and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in her death by her parents, and her beloved husband of 52 years, Edward, her sisters Alina Graszka, Henryka Lyzniak, Barbara Sobolewska, Jadwiga Pisowacka and her brothers Tadeusz and Wlodzimierz Sobolewski. Pallbearers will be Nicholas Wiewiorowski, Andrew Leonpacher, Michael Leonpacher, Michael Breaux, Sr., Tad Wiewiorowski, Jr. and Tomek Filipiak. Honorary pallbearers will be Tad Wiewiorowski, Sr., Henryk Filipiak, Eligiusz Sobolewski and Alfred Leonpacher. Irena’s wish was for her remains to be taken back to Poland and be buried alongside her husband. The family would like to thank Dr. Gene Brierre and his staff at Louisiana Oncology Associates for their compassionate care during Irena’s courageous battle with cancer. The family requests that visiting hours will be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home on Bertrand Drive on Friday April 17, 2015 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. A Rosary will be prayed at 6:30pm on Friday evening in the funeral home. Visiting hours will resume on Saturday April 18, 2015 from 9:00 am until the time of service. Memorial Donations may be made in Memory of Irena Wiewiorowska to the American Cancer Society, 1604 HWY LA 182, Lafayette, LA 70508 or St Pius X Catholic Church, 200 East Bayou Parkway, Lafayette, LA 70508. Personal condolences may be sent to the Wiewiorowski family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Irena Wiewiorowska

March 17, 1932 - April 12, 2015