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Awarding the Unitas Durat medal to Klara Di Lorenzo, photo by Tomasz Czachorowski/eventphoto.com.pl for UMWKP
Awarding the Unitas Durat medal to Klara Di Lorenzo, photo by Tomasz Czachorowski/eventphoto.com.pl for UMWKP

Life as a story

Klara Di Lorenzo, née Weiner, joined the ranks of those honoured with the Marshal’s Unitas Durat Palatinatus Cuiaviano-Pomeraniensis medal. Vice-Marshall Zbigniew Ostrowski attended the celebration of the Bydgoszcz woman’s 100th birthday. The jubilarian accepted the medal and heartfelt congratulations with a smile and emotion.

 

Born on 16 May 1925 in Sartowice (Świecie poviat), Mrs Klara has had a life full of difficult experiences, but also extraordinary strength. She spent her childhood in a forester’s lodge. During the Second World War she was forced to work as a forced labourer for a German farmer.

 

After the war, she worked as a postwoman, then as a gardener, and then for many years at an upholstery cooperative in Bydgoszcz. In 1969, she moved to the United States to help her brother with childcare. In the USA she met her husband, Anthony Di Lorenzo, with whom she spent the next 50 years of her life. They lived in Rochester, New York, where she was still driving as a 94-year-old.

 

After her husband’s death, she returned to Poland and now lives with her daughter in Bydgoszcz. She loves solving crossword puzzles, doing jigsaw puzzles and sharing memories – especially those of a childhood scented with lily of the valley. She proudly talks about her family: her daughter, grandson and great-granddaughter. She enjoys an excellent memory, cheerfulness and, as her relatives emphasise, is able to infect everyone who meets her with optimism.

 

The regional government has been honouring centenarians in the region since 2018. 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

 

26 May 2025