Centenarian Bernardyna Fischer Receives Congratulations from the Marshal

Bernardyna Fischer, now a resident of the Zławieś Wielka municipality, has received a commemorative medal and a letter of congratulations from the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region on the occasion of her 100th birthday. The story of her family could easily serve as the basis for a film script: her father’s escape from Siberian exile, her brother’s forced conscription into the Wehrmacht and his daring escape to join the Italian resistance, years of anxiety and fear for loved ones, and later surveillance by the communist Security Service because of her husband’s contacts with the democratic opposition.

Born in 1926, Bernardyna Fischer spent most of her life in Toruń, where she lived until 2019. Today, she resides with her son in Zławieś Wielka, surrounded by the care of her family. A member of the regional board, Marek Wojtkowski, met with the celebrant and presented the distinctions on behalf of the regional government.

Mrs Fischer grew up in a large family. She was the daughter of Maria (née Muchewicz) and Stanisław Trokowski. She had two brothers, Rajmund and Stanisław, and three sisters: Barbara, Jadwiga and Gabriela.

Her family’s history was deeply intertwined with major events of the twentieth century. As a young man, her father was deported to Siberia, from where he managed to escape after two years and return to Poland. The experience left such profound scars that he rarely spoke about it later in life.

The family was also affected by the tragedy of the Second World War. Her brother Rajmund was forcibly conscripted into the Wehrmacht and sent to the African front. During transport he deserted and made his way to the Italian resistance movement, where he fought until the end of the war. There he met his future wife, who served as a courier for the partisans. Her other brother, Stanisław, later became Voivode of Toruń.

Mrs Fischer completed primary school in Toruń and, during the German occupation, received vocational training at an accounting school. According to her recollections, before the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising she took part in transporting weapons destined for the Polish capital.

After the war, she began her professional career as Chief Accountant at the Land Inspectorate. Following the birth of her first son, however, she chose to devote herself to family life and raising her children. In 1953, she married Henryk Fischer, a lawyer. The couple had two sons, Adam and Witold. Today, Mrs Fischer is also the proud grandmother of three granddaughters and great-grandmother of six great-grandchildren.

Her life was not without hardship. Her husband died prematurely at the age of 53, shortly before the introduction of martial law in Poland. Due to his activities and contacts with opposition circles, including Jan Olszewski, Mrs Fischer was subjected to surveillance and harassment by the communist Security Service.

Throughout her life, family remained her highest priority. She devoted herself to caring for her home, raising her children and supporting her loved ones. Even today, she remains interested in public affairs and politics, closely following developments in Poland. Her relatives emphasise her strength of character, wisdom and commitment to the values she continues to pass on to younger generations.

Families of residents of the region who are approaching their 100th birthday—or are already older—are encouraged to contact the Marshal’s Office at +48 56 62 18 344 or via e-mail at stulatkowie@kujawsko-pomorskie.pl.

Interesting Facts about Centenarians in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region

• The regional government has been honouring centenarian residents since 2018.
• More than 565 people have received the Unitas Durat Medal to date.
• Among the recipients were twin sisters from the Lubraniec municipality who celebrated their 100th birthdays together.
• The programme has also honoured veterans and long-lived residents who continue to lead active lives, including readers who still do not require glasses.

Beata Krzemińska
Press Spokesperson of the Marshal’s Office

24 June 2026