Centenarian Maria Krecz Honoured by the Marshal | Województwo Kujawsko-Pomorskie

She survived the war in the Vilnius region, experienced separation from her family, and endured post-war repatriation. She later made Bydgoszcz her home. On her 100th birthday, Maria Krecz received the Marshal’s Medal Unitas Durat Palatinatus Cuiaviano-Pomeraniensis.

“Celebrating a 100th birthday is a source of pride and a truly special occasion. I wish Mrs. Maria good health, enduring optimism, and many happy moments surrounded by her loving family,” said Marshal Piotr Całbecki.

Mrs. Krecz was born in 1926 in Bociany, in the Vilnius region, into a farming family. She grew up with a large number of siblings – five brothers and three sisters. Her youth coincided with the difficult years of the Second World War. To protect Maria and her sister from being sent to forced labour, their family deliberately understated their ages. Her father managed to avoid compulsory conscription into the Soviet army. At great personal risk, her parents also helped members of the Jewish community.

In 1946, Maria and her older sister Helena came to Poland. They initially lived with relatives near Broniewo (Radziejów County), then moved to Szubin (Nakło County). In 1947, Maria settled in Bydgoszcz, where she met her husband, Wacław. Together they raised four children: Bogdan, Krystyna, Grzegorz and Urszula. Today, Mrs. Krecz is also the grandmother of eight grandchildren and the great-grandmother of eleven great-grandchildren.

Throughout her life, she was known for her remarkable diligence. She worked at the iconic Bydgoszcz confectionery factory “Jutrzenka” and at the municipal transport depot, but her greatest passion was sewing. For many years, she made clothes by hand for her children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. She also enjoyed gardening and preparing meals for her loved ones.

Family members and friends emphasize her modesty, kindness and willingness to help others. Her hard work, devotion to her family and respect for others have made her a role model of strength, kindness and family warmth for successive generations. Vice-Marshal Zbigniew Ostrowski met with the centenarian to mark the occasion.

We are also making available a paper written by Mrs. Krecz’s granddaughter about her life.

We encourage the families of regional residents who will soon celebrate their 100th birthday – or who are already over one hundred years old – to contact us by phone at +48 56 62 18 344 or by e-mail at stulatkowie@kujawsko-pomorskie.pl.

More information is available in the Peers of Independence section.

Interesting Facts About Centenarians in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region