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

Two remarkable women, Kazimiera Puszczykowska from Pakość (Inowrocław poviat) and Magdalena Seroka from Trzebień (Bydgoszcz poviat), who recently celebrated their 100th birthdays, were honoured with the prestigious Unitas Durat Palatinatus Cuiaviano-Pomeraniensis medal. Their lives are not only a story of perseverance and indomitable spirit, but also proof that good shape and health can go hand in hand with a love of crisps and bird’s milk.

– You can’t build a future without knowing who we are and where we come from. And our roots are the roots of our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents. We would like to thank the oldest residents of Kuyavia and Pomerania for the experience they have passed on to us and for their contribution to our present day,’ says Marshal Piotr Całbecki.

Kazimiera Puszczykowska, born on 26 February 1925 in Dziarnów (Inowrocław poviat), was visited with warm birthday wishes by the President of the Regional Parliament, Elżbieta Piniewska.

Kazimiera grew up in the modest but loving home of Andrzej and Eleonora Lewandowski, together with her siblings – brother Stanisław and sisters Zdzisława and Floriana. Her childhood was marked by hardship, war and hard physical work. Despite this, she has always been guided by religious values and concern for others. After the war, she married Jan Puszczykowski, with whom she had three daughters, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Daughter Irena recalls that Mrs Kazimiera never complained and has always been full of kindness. – Mum has never shown resentment towards others. She is a firm believer, and privately she loves crisps and marshmallows! – she says with a smile.  Nestorka is gifted with manual skills, as a hobby until recently she crocheted and embroidered.

Another member of the group of recipients of the Marshal’s Unitas Durat medal, Magdalena Seroka, was born on 10 March 1925 in Obryte (Mazowieckie Voivodeship). Her youth fell on the difficult times of the war, which interrupted her education. In 1946, she married Czesław Seroka, with whom she ran a farm. The couple had three children, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The regional vice-president of the regional parliament, Przemysław Sznajdrowski, visited the jubilarian with his best wishes.

In spite of life’s difficulties, Mrs Magdalena always maintained her cheerfulness. – Her mother was extremely hard-working, but never attached importance to luxuries. She lived modestly, with humour and perseverance,’ recalls her son Jan. Today, Mrs Magdalena lives in Trzebień, in the Dobrcz municipality, surrounded by the love of her family.

The regional government has been honouring the region’s centenarians since 2018; more than four hundred and forty people have received the Unitas Durat medal to date. Families of the region’s residents who are about to turn one hundred years old, as well as those who are older, are encouraged to get in touch by calling 56 62 18 344 and emailing stulatkowie@kujawsko-pomorskie.pl.

Beata Krzemińska

Spokesperson of the Marshal’s Office

11 March 2025.