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

Stanisława Kos, Genowefa Urbańska, Wanda Stadejek and Apolonia Figurska have joined the group of individuals honored with the Marshal’s Medal Unitas Durat Palatinatus Cuiaviano-Pomeraniensis. The distinguished jubilarians were visited by the Chairwoman of the Regional Assembly, Elżbieta Piniewska, and Regional Councillor Sławomir Kopyść.

Among the award recipients is Ms. Stanisława Kos. She grew up in a large family with five sisters and two brothers. Her youth fell during the difficult period of World War II – she was displaced as a teenager and sent to work on an estate near Kraków. After the war, she returned to her hometown and in 1947 started a family, settling in Wylatowo (Mogilno County), where she still lives today. She experienced many challenging moments, including the premature death of her first husband, yet she never lost her positive spirit. She is the mother of five daughters, and a grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother to a large family.

The medal was also awarded to Ms. Genowefa Urbańska. She grew up in a large family with eight siblings. During the war, she worked as a forced laborer on a farm and later in Germany, where she lived in difficult conditions. After the war, she returned to Poland with her fiancé and began a new life. Together, they ran and developed a farm for many years. Ms. Genowefa is the mother of six children, and a grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She is known for her diligence, calm nature, and kindness, as well as her excellent cooking—her homemade dishes are still fondly remembered by her family.

Another honoree is Ms. Wanda Stadejek, whose life was also marked by the events of World War II. As a teenager, she was displaced with her family and sent to transit camps, and later to forced labor. After the war, she returned to her hometown and, together with her husband, ran a farm. She raised three children and lived to see grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was also actively involved in community life, including local rural women’s associations and veterans’ organizations.

The Unitas Durat Medal was also awarded to Ms. Apolonia Figurska, who was born into a farming family and grew up with six siblings—three brothers and three sisters. She completed primary school in Robakowo (Chełmno County), but her youth was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II. During the occupation, she was deported to Germany, where she worked on a farm. After the war, she returned to her hometown and started a new life. She later married Jan Figurski, with whom she ran a farm. She is the grandmother of fourteen grandchildren and the great-grandmother of fourteen great-grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoyed crocheting. She is known as a cheerful, kind, and always helpful person.

The regional government has been honoring centenarian residents since 2018. So far, more than five hundred people have received the Unitas Durat Medal. Families of residents approaching their 100th birthday, as well as those already over one hundred, are encouraged to get in touch by phone at +48 56 62 18 344 or via email at: stulatkowie@kujawsko-pomorskie.pl.

More information can be found in the “Peers of Independence” section.

Press Office of the Marshal’s Office
April 30, 2026