![[Gorzela Photo]](Gorzela_S.JPG)
Gorzela, Severina
(1930 - 2008)
Mrs. Severina (Zawistowski) Gorzela, 78, of Andover, MA died Friday, June 6, 2008, at the
Wingate of Andover after a short illness.
The daughter of the late Reverend Senior Josef Lebiedzik Zawistowski and the late Carrie (Drejarski) Zawistowski, she was born in Rochester, N.Y.
As the daughter of a Polish National Catholic Priest, she followed her father to his assignments in Shenandoah, Pa., Central Falls, R.I., Philadelphia, Binghamton, N.Y., Greenpoint, Brooklyn, N.Y. and Schenectady, N.Y. Severina was also the sister and aunt of Polish National Catholic priests.
Severina Gorzela lay in state at St. Casimir PNC Church, Lowell MA, Monday June 9, 2008 from 10 to 11 a.m. The Funeral Mass was at 11:00 a.m. in St. Casimir Church by the Right Rev. Thomas J. Gnat, Diocesan Bishop of the Eastern Diocese of the Polish National Catholic Church, assisted by Father Andrew Tenus, pastor. Burial was in the Polish National Catholic Cemetery in nearby Methuen MA. Bishop Gnat spoke of Severina as Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, historian, musician, educator, translator, genealogist. She was active in Polonia, in the Polish National Catholic Church, as well as the Polish National Union "Spojnia".
Severina received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Youngstown University, Ohio, named Outstanding Woman in the Social Sciences. She was also nominated and passed the interview stage for the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship. Severina later received a Master of Education in Counselor Training from the University of Massachusetts, Boston.
Severina was a teacher in the Lawrence Public School system for 19 years before retiring in 1986. She also held several positions at the IRS Service Center in Andover for 15 years, retiring in full in 1998. She was the wife of the late Rev. Father Maryan T. Gorzela, who was pastor at the Immaculate Conception Polish National Catholic Church in Lawrence for 40 years. Father Gorzela passed away this past Nov. 24, 2007. She attended many PNCC General Synods, PNCC History and Archives Workshops, diocesan Synods, Eastern Diocese School of Christian Living Seminars, Eastern Diocese United Women's Societies for the Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament in which held various offices, Eastern Diocese United Choirs conventions.
As wife of Father Gorzela, she lived in a number of locations as she followed and supported him at his assignments in Utica, N.Y, St. Louis, Youngstown, Ohio, Johnstown, Pa. and Naugatuck, Conn. She played an active role in all the parishes and also on the diocesan level. In addition to her roles in these parishes, she held different employment at each location. She held positions at General Electric, Montgomery Ward, the Polish Consulate in Chicago, WFMJ-TV in Youngstown, Ohio, the State of Connecticut Department of Public Welfare, the Albany Times-Union, the Commonwealth of PA Department of Public Welfare, and Butler Brothers.
Severina traveled overseas with great pleasure with her husband, Father Maryan, especially countries in Asia, northern Europe, and the Middle East. Several journeys to Poland were spent in touring and discovering many relatives on all sides of the family. Severina was looking forward to returning to Poland next month with her son Richard and his family.
Severina loved history, languages and learning about different cultures. She often shared stories with her family of the pre and post war generation and the activities of that time. In addition to her activities in history and archive organizations, she supported more recent immigrant families from Poland. She was active with the International Institute of Greater Lawrence providing housing and translating services to the first Polish refugee families that came to Lawrence MA in the late 1970s - early 1980s. She also enjoyed cooking and preparing for holiday celebrations. Her special Polish meals on Christmas Eve and Easter will be sorely missed.
Severina is survived by her son Richard Gorzela and his wife Donna of Andover; her son Andrew (CDR, USN) and his wife Maura of Seattle, her daughter Michelle and her husband Paul of New York; her grandchildren Elise and Raymond Gorzela of Andover; two brothers, Carl Zawistowski of Rochester, N.Y. and Theodore Zawistowski of Port Charlotte, Fla., and several nieces and nephews.
Severina was the sister of the late Right Reverend Joseph Zawistowski, Bishop of the Western Diocese of the Polish National Catholic Church, of Chicago.
Source: The Post Eagle, New Jersey - Wednesday, July 23, 2008