Aniela Teresa Szwed Wolny

Aniela Teresa Wolny (née Szwed), took her final breath and passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 25, 2022, surrounded by her loved ones. Aniela was born in Sandomierz, Poland where she lived until she was as a teenager, when she was then relocated to London, England during WWII. There she served as a soldier in the Polish Supplemental Army, PSK, during the aftermath of the war. She emigrated to New York City in 1952, and made her home in New Jersey, living in Wallington and then Passaic, finally settling in Wayne, NJ over 30 years ago. In her first year in the U.S. Aniela worked as a fashion model in NYC. Soon thereafter, she was named the first Miss Polonia in 1952, an honor that sparked a lifelong passion for activism in the Polish Community. She became a member of the Polish American Congress of both the Passaic and Bergen Chapters, and a member of the Polish Republican Caucus, as well as the Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America. She was a founding member of the Polish American Youth Association where she served on the board of directors for decades, volunteering and organizing dozens of sightseeing tour groups for members of the Polish Community. She planned exploratory tours to historic sites along the Eastern Seaboard including the Nation's Capital and Niagara Falls. Her commitment to her community continued to evolve, she was a former Director of Kracovia Manor in Wallington and an active member of the General Pulaski Memorial Parade Committee. She also focused on the children of the Polish Community serving as both a teacher and camp counselor at The Adam Mickiewicz Polish Language School in Passaic. A true professional and asset to her community, Aniela enjoyed a career as a Benefits Administrator for Magnetek Universal in Paramus where she was a valued colleague for over 25 years. As a committed Catholic, Aniela was a Benefactor of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C., and a parishioner of St. John Kanty R.C. Church in Clifton. Aniela was a clever wit who lived her life to the fullest which she shared with a wide social circle of beloved friends. She had a love of nature and animals as well as an athletic prowess as a champion in volleyball and ping pong. She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her. Aniela was the beloved wife of the late Mieczyslaw Wolny, and a devoted mother to her two daughters. She is survived by Karen Wolny and her wife, Dorée Duncan Seligmann, of Manhattan, and Diana Wolny and her partner, Mark Harari, of Manhattan. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend the visitation on Wednesday from 4-8 PM at the Kamienski Funeral Home, 106 Locust Ave, Wallington, and the funeral at 10 AM on Thursday. The Funeral Mass will begin at 11 AM at St. John Kanty R.C. Church in Clifton and a private entombment will take place at The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA at a later date.