Centenarians Honoured with the Marshal’s Medal | Województwo Kujawsko-Pomorskie

The stories of Ms Bolesława, Ms Pelagia, Ms Marianna Trawińska and Ms Marianna Woźniak show how different the lives of women born a hundred years ago could be. All of them experienced the difficult years of war, post-war reconstruction and everyday work, and their lives became permanently linked with the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region. What they have in common is strength, perseverance and the ability to overcome adversity. Today, they can look back on a hundred years that have brought enormous social, cultural and technological changes. Their memories are a valuable testimony to the history of the past century. The centenarians received the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region Medal, Unitas Durat Palatinatus Cuiaviano-Pomeraniensis.

– May the kindness you have shown to others return to you in the form of even greater care, warmth and attention from your loved ones. May every day bring you joy, love and support – Marshal Piotr Całbecki said in his congratulatory message.

Bolesława Piórkowska was born on 30 August 1926 in Dudy Puszczańskie (Warmińsko-Mazurskie Region). Her parents, Anna and Walenty Bałdyga, later moved permanently to what is now the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region. She grew up with her brother Bolesław and completed three years of primary school, but her education was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War. At the age of 16, she was deported to perform forced labour for a German family, an experience that became one of the most difficult episodes of her youth. After the war, she married and, together with her husband, ran an eight-hectare farm in Konojady (Brodnica County), raising livestock and cultivating the land. For many years, Ms Bolesława was also actively involved in the local community – she led a rosary group and was a member of the Rural Women’s Association. After the deaths of her husband and brother, she was surrounded with care by her niece Grażyna and her family, with whom she remains very close today. She now lives in Lębark (Brodnica County). The medal was presented to Ms Bolesława by Regional Councillor Paweł Zgórzyński.

Pelagia Osińska was born on 2 September 1926. For most of her life she was associated with Kowalewo Pomorskie, while she grew up in Wielkie Pułkowo (Wąbrzeźno County) in the family of Leokadia and Józef Piotrowski, who ran a farm. She was one of nine children, and after her father died before the outbreak of the war, the responsibility for raising the large family fell on her mother. During the German occupation, Ms Pelagia, together with her mother and eight siblings, was deported to Germany for forced labour. The family returned to Poland in 1946. After the war, she began her adult life in Kowalewo Pomorskie and worked as a cook for many years. She married twice and had four children – two daughters and two sons – as well as ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. In 2000, she moved to Brzozówka (Toruń County), where she still lives with her daughter Teresa and her family. She remains independent and calm and takes an interest in events in Poland and around the world. She enjoys spending time at home, watching television and reading newspapers. The medal was presented to the centenarian by Regional Councillor Jacek Gajewski.

Marianna Trawińska spent her childhood in the family of Weronika and Szczepan Przybylski, who ran a farm. She was born on 1 September 1926 in Seroczki, Aleksandrów County. After completing primary school in Straszewo near Koneck, she developed her passion for tailoring and, in 1948–1949, completed a Women’s Course in Cutting, Sewing and Pattern Making in Toruń, qualifying as a seamstress. During the war, she and her family worked on the farm of a German owner in Poczałkowo (Aleksandrów County). After the war, she began a new chapter in her life, marrying Adam Trawiński in 1950. The couple had six children – three sons and three daughters. Over the years, the family grew to include fourteen grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. Ms Marianna was actively involved in her local community, belonged to the Rural Women’s Association and sang in a folk ensemble, while sewing remained her great lifelong passion. Her grandchildren were especially important to her. During the holidays she baked homemade bread and rolls for them, organised games, told them stories and sang songs. Warm, sincere, helpful and devoted to her family, she cultivated close relationships with her relatives and neighbours throughout her life and today looks with pride at the successive generations of her family. Deputy Marshal of the Region Aneta Jędrzejewska presented the centenarian with the Marshal’s Unitas Durat Medal.

Marianna Woźniak was born on 6 September 1926 and has spent her entire life in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region. She grew up in Wielka Klonia (Tuchola County) in the family of Józef and Genowefa, who ran a fifteen-hectare farm. Her childhood was interrupted by the Second World War, and in May 1942 the whole family was sent to the displacement camp in Potulice (Nakło County), where Ms Marianna lost her mother and, a year later, her brother. One of the most dramatic moments of her life occurred when she was due to be executed, but a female guard saved her by hiding her in a bed. After the war, she returned to her home area. In recognition of her wartime experiences, she was awarded the Auschwitz Cross and received the title of Child of Potulice. At the age of 46, she married the widower Ildefons Woźniak and for many years they ran a farm together. She also remained close to his children from his first marriage. Ms Marianna is modest, calm and deeply religious. She particularly values peace and quiet, listening to the radio and religious songs, and despite losing sight in one eye, she has maintained a cheerful disposition throughout her life. For the past 34 years she has been lovingly cared for by her niece Mieczysława, with whom she lives in Tuchola. Regional Councillor Jarosław Katulski met with the centenarian.

Families of residents of the region who will soon celebrate their 100th birthday, as well as those who are already over 100 years old, are encouraged to contact us by telephone at 56 62 18 344 or by e-mail at stulatkowie@kujawsko-pomorskie.pl.

Interesting facts about centenarians from Kujawsko-Pomorskie:

the regional government has been honouring centenarian residents of the region since 2018
more than 585 people have received the Unitas Durat Medal to date

Press Office of the Marshal’s Office

8 September 2026

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