Helena Wilk, neé Gryzan, (age 90)
June 30, 2023
Helena was born on October 4, 1932, in Kolonia Kruchy, Poland. Helena was an amazingly strong and resilient woman who will be remembered for her warm and welcoming nature. She had a passion for cooking and loved sharing her culinary skills with family, friends, and neighbors. Her home was her pride, and she enjoyed entertaining and filling her home with laughter. Helena also had a green thumb and took pleasure in gardening her vegetables and beautiful flowers. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
At 9 years old, Helena’s father left to join Armia Andersa Army Unit, and to fight in World War 2. Helena did not see her father again for 9 years. At 13 years old, she, her mother, brother, and sister were forced to leave their home by the Russian Army. It is said that they put what little possessions they had in a horse cart and began their journey afoot across Poland. While crossing a river, both the horse and their possessions were swept away, leaving them nothing. This event only served to strengthen her resolve.
Helena and her family eventually settled down in Bierutow, Poland. In her early 20’s, she met the love of her life, Stanislaw Wilk, and they married in 1953. Tragedy struck a few years later when they suffered the loss of their second child, a son Antoni. Still she pressed on and had more children. A further sign of her strength and perseverance was the family’s journey to America. The journey began with a desire for her husband to meet the father he never knew. Sadly, it was not to be, as her husband’s father passed away before they were able to travel. Again, not to be deterred, Stanislaw, Helena, and their children, Casimer, Bozena, Myron, Jolanta, along with baby Robert yet to be born, boarded a ship for America in 1964.
Helena left behind her parents, brother, and sister, as well as other relatives for an entirely new country, language, and culture. An amazing feat. When they ultimately arrived in Hamtramck with only $75, they moved into a 2 bedroom flat, where Stanislaw’s mother also lived upstairs. New country, different people, different language, little money and 5 children in a 2 bedroom flat. Courageous indeed! Nothing seemed to break her spirit. Her strong will and determination stayed with her throughout her life.
In 1973, they were able to settle down in their home in Warren, MI, a home that Helena lived in to the end. She faced further challenges and heartache through her life. Along the way she lost her parents, husband, son Robert, son Myron, and her precious dog Beamer. To her credit, Helena never gave up on life. Her family, friends, and her beloved activities were at the center of her life. She found joy in life where many would only see sorrow. Throughout, she brought happiness to all who knew her. Her home was a place of warmth where she welcomed friends and family. There was always plenty of food and a place at the table. She was known for making the best pierogis around. She was an amazing woman to the end, and a tribute to all who were honored to know her.
Helena dedicated 33 years of her life to Mastercraft Leather Company as a Leather Cutter. In her free time, she enjoyed cooking, gardening, mushroom picking, dancing, and entertaining.
Helena is survived by her brother Janek Gryzan, her son Casimer Wilk (Leokadia), her daughters Bozena Bilek (Janusz) and Jolanta MacDonald (Joseph), her grandchildren Marek Bilek (April), Anetta Bilek, Monika Garcia (James), Daniel Wilk (Sara), and Taylor Nagi (Ryan), as well as her great-grandchildren Gabriella Garcia, Liliana Garcia, Lucas Garcia, Jacob Garcia, Mitchell Carter, and Alyna Ryniewicz. She was preceded in death by her father Antoni Gryzan, her mother Malwina Gryzan (Kawecka), her sister Wladyslawa Gryzan, her husband Stanislaw Wilk, and her sons Antoni Wilk, Myron Wilk, and Robert Wilk.
Helena Wanda Wilk will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched. May she rest in peace.
Visitation
Friday, July 14, 2023 from 4 – 9 PM
Jurkiewicz & Wilk Funeral Home (map)
2396 Caniff
Hamtramck MI 48212
Funeral service
Saturday, July 15, 2023
Lying in state at 9 AM until time of funeral mass at 10 AM.
Holy Cross Polish National Catholic Church (map)
2311 Pulaski
Hamtramck MI 48212
Interment
Mount Olivet Cemetery (map)
17100 Van Dyke
Detroit MI 48234
My deepest condolences Yolanda. Mrs. Wilk as we called her, always greeted us with a smile our hands full of goodie’s upon leaving. I used to coerce Barbie running into her shoulder, to knock on Mrs. Wilk’s door while walking our dog during Pierogi season. Truly the Matriarch of the Wilk family!