INFORMATION PORTAL OF THE MARSHAL'S OFFICE OF THE KUJAWSKO-POMORSKIE Region IN TORUŃ

Wanda Panfil from Inowrocław is celebrating her 100th birthday – energetic, passionate about sports and life, she never misses a match played by Iga Świątek and still shares her culinary tips. On this occasion, the President of the Regional Parliament, Elżbieta Piniewska, visited the jubilant and presented her with the Unitas Durat Palatinatus Cuiaviano-Pomeraniensis medal.

‘May the kindness you show others be returned with the care, warmth and attention of your loved ones. May every day bring you joy, love and support,’ said Marshal Piotr Całbecki in his birthday wishes.

Wanda Irena Panfil (née Zbytniewska) was born on 14 July 1925 in Mogilno as one of seven children.

The war brought dramatic experiences to the Zbytniewski family. Everyone – except for Wanda – was displaced from their family home in Mogilno, which was taken over by a German policeman. She herself was forced to remain on the estate and worked there until the end of the war, looking after the commander’s children.

After the war, she started working for the Volunteer Fire Brigade in Mogilno. She then moved to Inowrocław, where she found employment in the state fire brigade administration. It was there that she met her future husband, Józef. They got married in 1954. Soon, their children were born – daughter Maria and son Marek. After the birth of her daughter, Wanda decided to devote herself entirely to her family and home. She lived with her beloved husband for 59 years. After his death, she moved in with her daughter in Inowrocław.

Despite the passing of years, Wanda remains an extremely active and passionate person. As a child, she loved dancing and sports. Today, although she is in a wheelchair, she enthusiastically cheers on athletes, never missing a tennis match featuring Iga Świątek or a volleyball game. During the heyday of our national team, she also cheered on the footballers enthusiastically, but recently she has lost interest in this. She has an excellent memory, which she exercises by reading the press and solving crossword puzzles every day. She actively participates in home life, preparing preserves and offering culinary advice. For years, her great passion was sewing – she lovingly sewed clothes for her children and grandchildren.

She is a role model and a great support to her family. She taught her children and grandchildren respect for others, love, as well as persistence and consistency in pursuing their goals. ‘Everything I have, I owe to my mother,’ says her daughter Maria. ‘She helped me raise my children, took care of my sick son-in-law for a long time, and never expected anything in return. She loved us for who we are.’

The regional government has been honouring centenarians in the region since 2018. We encourage families of residents of the region who are about to turn 100, as well as older people, to contact us by phone at 56 62 18 344 or by email at stulatkowie@kujawsko-pomorskie.pl.

Beata Krzemińska

spokesperson for the Marshal’s Office

15 July 2025