Danuta Brzek

Danuta Brzek (nee Baginski), 92, died peacefully in her home in Wallington, NJ, on May 12, 2022, surrounded by loved ones. Known to friends and family as Danusia or Danka, she was born in Kudranka, Poland to Jan and Teofilia Baginski. As a child, she survived the ethnic cleansing of Poles by Ukrainian nationalists in her village, as well as her later imprisonment in a Nazi labor camp. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1951, becoming a naturalized citizen four years later. In 1952, she met and married Konstanty Brzek who died in 2016.Danka was determined to not only survive, but thrive. She worked full-time and overtime when she could, retiring from Airwick Solids in 1990. She honed her English skills using her first-born's schoolbooks. Danka succeeded in having her daughters receive the advanced education denied to her by her life's circumstances. To make ends meet on their factory incomes, Danka worked the day shift while Kostek worked evenings, thereby ensuring one of them was always home to care for their children. Together they would eventually host 80 English language students from all over the world. They opened their home to Polish immigrants to assist their transition to life in the U.S. Danka excelled in the domestic arts. She enjoyed outfitting her children in her own stylish creations as a matter of both pleasure and thrift. Cooking and entertaining were her passions; she was a true master at pierogi and stuffed cabbage, and a wizard at creating Polish-style soups. Danka was the embodiment of resilience, maintaining her independence as she contended with a multitude of medical conditions. She could demand much of others, but she gave much more in return. Surviving are her devoted children, Cecilia Torres, Elizabeth Brzek, Helen and husband Ico Cimera, Regina Brzek and husband Jim Brittain; her loving grandsons, Alexander Torres and wife Alexandra, Milan Cimera, Daniel Cimera, and Nikola Cimera; her cherished granddaughter Amy Torres; her beloved great-grandson Tyson Torres, her dear step great-grandson Hayden McGinnis, and many nephews and nieces.She is predeceased by her five brothers. Viewing 2-4pm and 6-8pm Thursday, May 19, 2022 at Warner-Wozniak Funeral Service, 80 Midland Ave. Wallington, NJ 07057. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 am, Friday, May 20, at The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 127 Paterson Ave., Wallington, NJ. Contributions in Danka's memory can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.