Zofia (Rutkowska) Szelenbaum

Zofia Josephina Brunice Szelenbaum (nee’ Rutkowska)

Age 97, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 11, 2022 at Salud Wellness in Joliet.

Born May 15, 1924 in Poland, Zofia spent three years in a Nazi war camp and met her future Polish husband in a refugee camp. Throughout Zofia’s life she remained a devoted parishioner to her local Catholic Church and she always said that prayers and her deep faith got her through the difficulties in her life. After World War II, Zofia and her husband were moved to England and then to the United States. She was forever grateful for her life in the United States and proudly became a United States citizen as soon as she could. Zofia worked as a seamstress for Lyttons Clothing Store from 1961 to 1985. She loved to cook and always made sure family and friends were well fed. Her pride and joy was being a devoted mother to her two sons: Peter Anthony and John Thaddeus. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Zofia is survived by her son: John and his wife, Mary Fitzsimmons Szelenbaum, and grandson: Peter Szelenbaum.

She is preceded in death by her husband: Wladyslaw Szelenbaum; son: Peter Szelenbaum, and sisters: Staneslawa, Irena, Henryka and Janina.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 18, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 18 Woodlawn Avenue in Joliet. Interment will follow and Zofia will be laid to rest at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Joliet.

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