Obituary for Lidia "Lili" Butewicz
The 1920’s and 30’s were difficult and sometimes perilous times in which to live. But from such difficulties character is built., love of family and friends and country, and an abiding and lasting faith. Lidia “Lili” Butewicz grew up during these years. She was born in Pinsk, Poland to Alina Kulik and Paul Kondraciuk. Her childhood years fostered her love of the garden and kitchen., and over the years, she honed her skills in both. She attended school in Pinsk, Poland and through the hard times of World War II, she completed her studies later during the War in 1942 in Ihgalstadt, Germany.
In the late 30’s while training with the Polish Womens Army she met and worked with her future husband, Longin Butewicz, a Lieutenant in the Polish Army. Dangerous and diffict times continued into the early 1940’s, finding Lili joining her husband in the Polish Underground Army. Lili and Longin were married in 1942. The war once again forced them to move. This time, in 1944, to Germany, doing hard labor at Deutsche Reichsbahn, Dachaw Munich’s notorious camp. They were liberated by the American Army, all the while never thinking that they would end up in the U.S.A. one day and raise their family there. Those times forged Lili’s character. – Love of family, God, and country. Values she lived by then and nowm and has passed onto her children. Her involvement in various Polish organizations, and St Mary’s parish lending credence to the legacy of help and support that defines her.
Lili was a member of the Polish Falcons while in Germany. She held the office of 1st Vice President of the Polish National Fund and also Vice President of the ZPA (Perth Amboy) and V.P. of Semper Fideli.
Lili again showed her love of Poland as a Delegate to the Polish American Congress. She also found time to be a Chairperson of the Polish Festival Food and Gift Concession. Her services were recognized with a medal in 1975 for her work for Poland and Polonia. The Polish Government in exile awarded Lili a Silver Medal in 1980 and a Gold Medal in 1985.
Lili was the 1st V.P. of St. Mary’s Rosary Society. True to love of God and country, she was a Loan Officer of the United Poles Federal Credit Union and V.P. of St. Mary’s Seniors.
Lili’s children are proud of her service, her faith, and her love of both Poland and the U.S.A. She was the proud mother of 4 children, Richard, Yolanda Spry, Bozena “Bonnie” Popowski, and Joseph and 7 grandchidren Jayne Devine, Chris & Jen Zinna, Michael Popowski, Amy, Joey & Stacy Butewicz. She was also great grandmother to her grandchildren Kyra McMillan, Adrianna Chatman, & Matthew and Nicholas Popowski.
Lili has traveled quite a bit since beginning her new life here in the U.S. Just to mention a few, Mexico, Israel, Poland ( of course) and all over Italy, twice. While with the League of American Poles she visited Rome with Governor Keane in 1985 and had a Papal audience with Pope John Paul II, and a 2nd Papal audience with him during her visit to Rome in 1998.
This tribute to Lidia “Lili” Butewicz began with “But from such difficulties character is built., love of family and friends and country and an abiding and lasting faith…” These traits defined Lili, and from that appreciation we say Well Done Lili, We Couldn’t Be More Proud.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday 8:30am from the Maliszewski Funeral Home 218 Whitehead Avenue South River, followed by a 9am mass at Saint Mary of Ostrabrama R. C. Church in South River with burial to follow at Saint Mary’s Cemetery, East Brunswick.
Calling hours at the funeral home will be held Tuesday from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to Sayreville PBA Local 98 P.O. Box 34 Sayreville, NJ 08871. Letters of condolence to the family, completed arrangements and directions may be found at www.maliszewskifuneralhome.com
In the late 30’s while training with the Polish Womens Army she met and worked with her future husband, Longin Butewicz, a Lieutenant in the Polish Army. Dangerous and diffict times continued into the early 1940’s, finding Lili joining her husband in the Polish Underground Army. Lili and Longin were married in 1942. The war once again forced them to move. This time, in 1944, to Germany, doing hard labor at Deutsche Reichsbahn, Dachaw Munich’s notorious camp. They were liberated by the American Army, all the while never thinking that they would end up in the U.S.A. one day and raise their family there. Those times forged Lili’s character. – Love of family, God, and country. Values she lived by then and nowm and has passed onto her children. Her involvement in various Polish organizations, and St Mary’s parish lending credence to the legacy of help and support that defines her.
Lili was a member of the Polish Falcons while in Germany. She held the office of 1st Vice President of the Polish National Fund and also Vice President of the ZPA (Perth Amboy) and V.P. of Semper Fideli.
Lili again showed her love of Poland as a Delegate to the Polish American Congress. She also found time to be a Chairperson of the Polish Festival Food and Gift Concession. Her services were recognized with a medal in 1975 for her work for Poland and Polonia. The Polish Government in exile awarded Lili a Silver Medal in 1980 and a Gold Medal in 1985.
Lili was the 1st V.P. of St. Mary’s Rosary Society. True to love of God and country, she was a Loan Officer of the United Poles Federal Credit Union and V.P. of St. Mary’s Seniors.
Lili’s children are proud of her service, her faith, and her love of both Poland and the U.S.A. She was the proud mother of 4 children, Richard, Yolanda Spry, Bozena “Bonnie” Popowski, and Joseph and 7 grandchidren Jayne Devine, Chris & Jen Zinna, Michael Popowski, Amy, Joey & Stacy Butewicz. She was also great grandmother to her grandchildren Kyra McMillan, Adrianna Chatman, & Matthew and Nicholas Popowski.
Lili has traveled quite a bit since beginning her new life here in the U.S. Just to mention a few, Mexico, Israel, Poland ( of course) and all over Italy, twice. While with the League of American Poles she visited Rome with Governor Keane in 1985 and had a Papal audience with Pope John Paul II, and a 2nd Papal audience with him during her visit to Rome in 1998.
This tribute to Lidia “Lili” Butewicz began with “But from such difficulties character is built., love of family and friends and country and an abiding and lasting faith…” These traits defined Lili, and from that appreciation we say Well Done Lili, We Couldn’t Be More Proud.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday 8:30am from the Maliszewski Funeral Home 218 Whitehead Avenue South River, followed by a 9am mass at Saint Mary of Ostrabrama R. C. Church in South River with burial to follow at Saint Mary’s Cemetery, East Brunswick.
Calling hours at the funeral home will be held Tuesday from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to Sayreville PBA Local 98 P.O. Box 34 Sayreville, NJ 08871. Letters of condolence to the family, completed arrangements and directions may be found at www.maliszewskifuneralhome.com