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Awarding of the Unitas Durat medal to Irena Białecka, photo by Tomasz Czachorowski/eventphoto.com.pl for UMWKP
Wręczenie medalu Unitas Durat Irenie Białeckiej, fot. Tomasz Czachorowski/eventphoto.com.pl dla UMWKP

Here’s to another hundred years of health and happiness!

Irena Białecka, a resident of Cerekwica in the Żnin County, recently celebrated her 100th birthday. Dariusz Kurzawa, a member of the regional board, met with the jubilant, who is in good health and distinguished by her cheerful disposition. Ms Irena was honoured with the marshal’s medal Unitas Durat Palatinatu Cuiaviano Pomeraniensis.

 

‘May the kindness you show to others be returned with the care, warmth and attention of your loved ones. May every day bring you joy, love and support,’ said Marshal Piotr Całbecki.

 

Irena Białecka was born on 23 May 1925 in Poznań, the only child of Maria and Szczepan Łochowicz. Her childhood and youth were spent in Kaczkówko (Żnin County), where her parents worked on a local estate. It was there that Irena spent the difficult years of occupation, working side by side with her loved ones.

 

After the war, at the age of 22, she married Leon Białecki. Together they raised six daughters. In the 1960s, they moved to Cerekwica, where she devoted herself entirely to her home, children and work on a small but carefully tended plot of land. Her husband was an active local activist, serving as the village administrator of Kaczkówka, sitting on the Gromadzka National Council in Żnin and working at the museum in Biskupin.

 

The matriarch is proud of her large family – she has twelve grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. Despite her advanced age, she remains active, enjoys walking in the garden, follows current events and likes to watch television in the evenings.

 

A good sense of humour and a positive attitude are her recipe for longevity. The birthday girl emphasises with a smile, ‘I’m still too young for a diet. I have a peaceful life and a good son-in-law.’

 

The regional government has been honouring centenarians in the region since 2018. We encourage families of residents of the region who are about to turn 100, as well as older people, to contact us by phone at 56 62 18 344 or by e-mail at stulatkowie@kujawsko-pomorskie.pl.

 

More about the jubilarians in the tab Peers of Independence

 

Beata Krzemińska

spokesperson for the Marshal’s Office

 

30 May 2025