A Century of Caring for Others Despite Life’s Adversities

Kordula, the middle name of Krystyna Kukla, a resident of Nakło nad Notecią, means “heart” and perfectly reflects the path she has taken in life, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to teaching and working with children. Wanda Nowaczewska, now a resident of Bydgoszcz, hid in underground shelters from the German occupiers during World War II and, after the war, worked as a nurse, also helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Janina Piernik, from Radziejów County, was forced to work on a German farm during the war. Once a month, she walked as far as 20 kilometres each way to visit her family. Today, all three women are surrounded by the love and care of their families, and their long lives stand as a testament to their strength of character and enduring optimism. The centenarians were presented with the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region Medal, Unitas Durat Palatinatus Cuiaviano-Pomeraniensis, during visits by Vice-Marshal Aneta Jędrzejewska and Region’s Board Member Dariusz Kurzawa.

– A 100th birthday is an extraordinary milestone and a testament to a rich life filled with hard work, care for loved ones and experiences that form part of the history of our region and country. I wish these remarkable ladies good health, continued optimism and many reasons to smile every day – wrote Marshal Piotr Całbecki in his congratulatory letter.

Janina Piernik – full biography

Janina Waleria Piernik was born on 26 October 1926 and grew up in a farming family. During World War II, she was sent to perform forced labour on a German farm. After the war, she returned to her hometown of Opatowice (Radziejów County), where she and her husband ran a ten-hectare farm and raised three daughters. Cooking was one of her greatest passions. She was particularly renowned for baking cakes and biscuits for family celebrations. She has ten grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. She still lives in Opatowice, where she receives loving care from her daughter Barbara and son-in-law Mirosław.

Krystyna Kukla – full biography

Krystyna Kordula Kukla was born on 22 October 1926 in Bydgoszcz. The outbreak of World War II disrupted her educational plans and forced her to work for a German family. After the war, she graduated from the Teacher Training Secondary School in Bydgoszcz and completed studies in special education, devoting her professional life to working with children and young people. In recognition of her dedication, she was awarded the Gold Cross of Merit. Even after retirement, she remained actively involved in teaching. She raised two daughters and has four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Today, she is surrounded by the support and care of her loved ones.

Wanda Nowaczewska – full biography

Wanda Nowaczewska was born on 8 October in Osie, in the Tuchola Forest region, where she spent her childhood and the years of World War II. During the war, she was forced into hiding and was wounded by a fragment of an artillery shell. At the end of 1948, she moved to Bydgoszcz, where she worked as a nurse. She later completed nursing school and became actively involved in helping children in need. After taking a break from work to raise her daughter, she joined a textile factory, where her dedication and hard work earned her a promotion to shift supervisor. She has one daughter, two grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Since 1996, she has lived in Bydgoszcz with her daughter Danuta and son-in-law Janusz, who provide her with loving care.

We encourage the families of residents of our region who will soon celebrate their 100th birthday, as well as those who have already reached this milestone, to contact us by telephone at +48 56 62 18 344 or by email at stulatkowie@kujawsko-pomorskie.pl.

Interesting facts about centenarians in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region:

• The regional government has been honouring centenarians since 2018.
• More than 590 people have received the Unitas Durat Medal to date.
• Elżbieta Rogala lived to the age of 110.
• Stefania Nowicka, whose barge was once escorted by a German submarine – Unitas Durat Medals for Distinguished Contributions to the Country and Science.

Beata Krzemińska
Spokesperson for the Marshal’s Office

29 October 2026