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

Maria Ratkowska from Drzycim (Świecie County) and Leokadia Wojtczak from Włocławek celebrated their 100th birthdays. The jubilarians were visited by Marek Wojtkowski, a member of the regional board, and Tadeusz Pogoda, a provincial councillor. Both ladies were honoured with the Unitas Durat Palatinatus Cuiaviano-Pomeraniensis medal.

 

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

 

Maria Ratkowska was born on 4 September 1925 in Drzycim, in the Świecie County. She comes from a family of farmers – her father was a village administrator. She grew up in a large family with eight siblings.

 

Her youth was interrupted by the war. In 1940, she and her entire family were deported to Germany, where she had to endure the difficult times of occupation. She also suffered a personal tragedy – her father was shot. After the war ended in 1945, the family returned to Drzycim.

 

She worked as an accountant – first in Tuchola, then in Drzycim, and later in the Przechowo cooperative in Świecie, where she worked until her retirement.  The birthday girl is a family-oriented and helpful person. She helped her relatives and friends with official matters, supported her siblings, and was also active in the church choir for many years. She has a daughter, a grandson and two great-grandchildren, of whom she is very proud.

 

Although life has not spared her difficult experiences, she still impresses with her cheerfulness, excellent memory and kindness. As she herself says, the recipe for longevity is fortitude and not giving in to adversity.

 

Mrs Leokadia Wojtczak was born on 5 September 1925 in Wysocinek near Bądków (Aleksandrów County). At the age of 17, she was deported to Germany for forced labour. After the war, she returned to her family home and soon afterwards married Jerzy Wojtczak, a former prisoner of the Stutthof concentration camp.

 

The couple raised three children together. She also lived to see her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

 

Reading was always her great passion – from childhood to her later years, she reached for books and newspapers every day.

 

The regional government has been honouring centenarians from the region since 2018. We encourage families of residents of the region who will soon be turning 100, as well as older residents, to contact us by phone at 56 62 18 344 or by e-mail at stulatkowie@kujawsko-pomorskie.pl.

 

Beata Krzemińska

Press spokesperson for the Marshal’s Office

 

9 September 2025