Frances (name changed from Paranka) was born to Grigori & Anastasia Wakula in in 1889, in what was once known as Austria-Hungary, but is now known as the Ukraine. She had several brothers and sisters.
Frances and her older sister Anna immigrated to America, arriving at the port of N.Y.C. in 1905. The plan was to have the girls in the family leave Europe first, and the brothers would continue to save for the passage money to have themselves and parents follow. History and fate deemed otherwise; at the time of her arrival in America she and her sister had no idea they would never again see the family they left behind. Historical events of the Russian Revolution and the Holodomor, Stalin's genocide through starvation of the Ukrainians during 1932-1933 wiped-out most of her remaining family. The brutality of Communist Russia had removed hope of her remaining family to escape. She never saw what little was left of her remaining family trapped in the Soviet Union again.
A few years after arriving, she married my grandfather Klemens Stempowicz,a Pole who immigrated from Russia. They had 2 children; a daughter Mary born 1921 who died at birth and a son Lee, my father who was born in 1923. I am her granddaughter Jean and, and I had her 2 great-grandchildren; Jaime Lee and Jared Matthew.
My grandmother resided in New Haven, Conn.They owned a restaurant together, "The New York Restaurant" for many years in New Haven, Conn.
-The Babka bread she baked & intricately designed Ukrainian Easter Eggs she made are a wonderful tradition she passed on to us from "the old country"- She would be pleased to know the tradition has been carried on to her great-grandchildren.
Her death was peaceful; of old age.
Frances & Klemens' names are inscribed on the Wall of Honor at the Immigration Museum, Ellis Island, NY,NY.
"Я тебе люблю, бабуся"
I have a story to tell about my grandmother:
My grandmother in her 90's was in a nursing home with a long-term room mate who was about 15 yrs younger. My grandmother was a calm woman at peace with her age, her room mate was fearful of death and vocal about it. On November 5th, 1983, I received a call about my grandmother passing, and I saw to her funeral arrangements according to her wishes.
As it was November and very cold in New England. I was shocked as at the wake (or viewing as some term it), to see a registered nurse escorting down the aisle my grandmother's room mate on such a cold night. She wheeled her to me and said, "We just couldn't keep her away. She was determined to see you and pay respects". She further explained the room mate was so agitated, it was determined it was best she was permitted to come.
Her room mate was very agitated; she didn't express her condolences, she didn't even say hello; instead with a determined purpose she asked me a question; "Who is Clem? I have to know who is Clem?".
I was taken aback some, and responded Clem was my grandfather and asked why she was asking. -- Her face lit right up, and she clapped her hands together in absolute joy with a huge smile on her face. She next said, " I knew it! ...and I am no longer afraid to die!". -- She explained to me my grandmother had around 5 am struggled, but sat right up in bed by pulling on the bed rails looking at the foot of the bed calling out the name Clem. She said my grandmother was smiling so brightly and she stretched out her arms reaching out to him. The room mate called out to my grandmother to understand what was happening, but it was as if she couldn't hear hear her as she kept focused on this unseen person. Then my grandmother let herself lay back down and she gave up her spirit with a smile, and passed away. --
My grandmother's room mate witnessed this, and had to confirm who my grandmother saw before she died. Her room mate was glowing and smiling,.. she never went to the casket to bid a farewell to my grandmother and said again, she is no longer afraid to die and my grandmother is not in that casket, she was with my grandfather. What a comfort that was to me, and obviously it was to her as well.
Frances and her older sister Anna immigrated to America, arriving at the port of N.Y.C. in 1905. The plan was to have the girls in the family leave Europe first, and the brothers would continue to save for the passage money to have themselves and parents follow. History and fate deemed otherwise; at the time of her arrival in America she and her sister had no idea they would never again see the family they left behind. Historical events of the Russian Revolution and the Holodomor, Stalin's genocide through starvation of the Ukrainians during 1932-1933 wiped-out most of her remaining family. The brutality of Communist Russia had removed hope of her remaining family to escape. She never saw what little was left of her remaining family trapped in the Soviet Union again.
A few years after arriving, she married my grandfather Klemens Stempowicz,a Pole who immigrated from Russia. They had 2 children; a daughter Mary born 1921 who died at birth and a son Lee, my father who was born in 1923. I am her granddaughter Jean and, and I had her 2 great-grandchildren; Jaime Lee and Jared Matthew.
My grandmother resided in New Haven, Conn.They owned a restaurant together, "The New York Restaurant" for many years in New Haven, Conn.
-The Babka bread she baked & intricately designed Ukrainian Easter Eggs she made are a wonderful tradition she passed on to us from "the old country"- She would be pleased to know the tradition has been carried on to her great-grandchildren.
Her death was peaceful; of old age.
Frances & Klemens' names are inscribed on the Wall of Honor at the Immigration Museum, Ellis Island, NY,NY.
"Я тебе люблю, бабуся"
I have a story to tell about my grandmother:
My grandmother in her 90's was in a nursing home with a long-term room mate who was about 15 yrs younger. My grandmother was a calm woman at peace with her age, her room mate was fearful of death and vocal about it. On November 5th, 1983, I received a call about my grandmother passing, and I saw to her funeral arrangements according to her wishes.
As it was November and very cold in New England. I was shocked as at the wake (or viewing as some term it), to see a registered nurse escorting down the aisle my grandmother's room mate on such a cold night. She wheeled her to me and said, "We just couldn't keep her away. She was determined to see you and pay respects". She further explained the room mate was so agitated, it was determined it was best she was permitted to come.
Her room mate was very agitated; she didn't express her condolences, she didn't even say hello; instead with a determined purpose she asked me a question; "Who is Clem? I have to know who is Clem?".
I was taken aback some, and responded Clem was my grandfather and asked why she was asking. -- Her face lit right up, and she clapped her hands together in absolute joy with a huge smile on her face. She next said, " I knew it! ...and I am no longer afraid to die!". -- She explained to me my grandmother had around 5 am struggled, but sat right up in bed by pulling on the bed rails looking at the foot of the bed calling out the name Clem. She said my grandmother was smiling so brightly and she stretched out her arms reaching out to him. The room mate called out to my grandmother to understand what was happening, but it was as if she couldn't hear hear her as she kept focused on this unseen person. Then my grandmother let herself lay back down and she gave up her spirit with a smile, and passed away. --
My grandmother's room mate witnessed this, and had to confirm who my grandmother saw before she died. Her room mate was glowing and smiling,.. she never went to the casket to bid a farewell to my grandmother and said again, she is no longer afraid to die and my grandmother is not in that casket, she was with my grandfather. What a comfort that was to me, and obviously it was to her as well.
Frances (name changed from Paranka) was born to Grigori & Anastasia Wakula in in 1889, in what was once known as Austria-Hungary, but is now known as the Ukraine. She had several brothers and sisters.
Frances and her older sister Anna immigrated to America, arriving at the port of N.Y.C. in 1905. The plan was to have the girls in the family leave Europe first, and the brothers would continue to save for the passage money to have themselves and parents follow. History and fate deemed otherwise; at the time of her arrival in America she and her sister had no idea they would never again see the family they left behind. Historical events of the Russian Revolution and the Holodomor, Stalin's genocide through starvation of the Ukrainians during 1932-1933 wiped-out most of her remaining family. The brutality of Communist Russia had removed hope of her remaining family to escape. She never saw what little was left of her remaining family trapped in the Soviet Union again.
A few years after arriving, she married my grandfather Klemens Stempowicz,a Pole who immigrated from Russia. They had 2 children; a daughter Mary born 1921 who died at birth and a son Lee, my father who was born in 1923. I am her granddaughter Jean and, and I had her 2 great-grandchildren; Jaime Lee and Jared Matthew.
My grandmother resided in New Haven, Conn.They owned a restaurant together, "The New York Restaurant" for many years in New Haven, Conn.
-The Babka bread she baked & intricately designed Ukrainian Easter Eggs she made are a wonderful tradition she passed on to us from "the old country"- She would be pleased to know the tradition has been carried on to her great-grandchildren.
Her death was peaceful; of old age.
Frances & Klemens' names are inscribed on the Wall of Honor at the Immigration Museum, Ellis Island, NY,NY.
"Я тебе люблю, бабуся"
I have a story to tell about my grandmother:
My grandmother in her 90's was in a nursing home with a long-term room mate who was about 15 yrs younger. My grandmother was a calm woman at peace with her age, her room mate was fearful of death and vocal about it. On November 5th, 1983, I received a call about my grandmother passing, and I saw to her funeral arrangements according to her wishes.
As it was November and very cold in New England. I was shocked as at the wake (or viewing as some term it), to see a registered nurse escorting down the aisle my grandmother's room mate on such a cold night. She wheeled her to me and said, "We just couldn't keep her away. She was determined to see you and pay respects". She further explained the room mate was so agitated, it was determined it was best she was permitted to come.
Her room mate was very agitated; she didn't express her condolences, she didn't even say hello; instead with a determined purpose she asked me a question; "Who is Clem? I have to know who is Clem?".
I was taken aback some, and responded Clem was my grandfather and asked why she was asking. -- Her face lit right up, and she clapped her hands together in absolute joy with a huge smile on her face. She next said, " I knew it! ...and I am no longer afraid to die!". -- She explained to me my grandmother had around 5 am struggled, but sat right up in bed by pulling on the bed rails looking at the foot of the bed calling out the name Clem. She said my grandmother was smiling so brightly and she stretched out her arms reaching out to him. The room mate called out to my grandmother to understand what was happening, but it was as if she couldn't hear hear her as she kept focused on this unseen person. Then my grandmother let herself lay back down and she gave up her spirit with a smile, and passed away. --
My grandmother's room mate witnessed this, and had to confirm who my grandmother saw before she died. Her room mate was glowing and smiling,.. she never went to the casket to bid a farewell to my grandmother and said again, she is no longer afraid to die and my grandmother is not in that casket, she was with my grandfather. What a comfort that was to me, and obviously it was to her as well.
Frances and her older sister Anna immigrated to America, arriving at the port of N.Y.C. in 1905. The plan was to have the girls in the family leave Europe first, and the brothers would continue to save for the passage money to have themselves and parents follow. History and fate deemed otherwise; at the time of her arrival in America she and her sister had no idea they would never again see the family they left behind. Historical events of the Russian Revolution and the Holodomor, Stalin's genocide through starvation of the Ukrainians during 1932-1933 wiped-out most of her remaining family. The brutality of Communist Russia had removed hope of her remaining family to escape. She never saw what little was left of her remaining family trapped in the Soviet Union again.
A few years after arriving, she married my grandfather Klemens Stempowicz,a Pole who immigrated from Russia. They had 2 children; a daughter Mary born 1921 who died at birth and a son Lee, my father who was born in 1923. I am her granddaughter Jean and, and I had her 2 great-grandchildren; Jaime Lee and Jared Matthew.
My grandmother resided in New Haven, Conn.They owned a restaurant together, "The New York Restaurant" for many years in New Haven, Conn.
-The Babka bread she baked & intricately designed Ukrainian Easter Eggs she made are a wonderful tradition she passed on to us from "the old country"- She would be pleased to know the tradition has been carried on to her great-grandchildren.
Her death was peaceful; of old age.
Frances & Klemens' names are inscribed on the Wall of Honor at the Immigration Museum, Ellis Island, NY,NY.
"Я тебе люблю, бабуся"
I have a story to tell about my grandmother:
My grandmother in her 90's was in a nursing home with a long-term room mate who was about 15 yrs younger. My grandmother was a calm woman at peace with her age, her room mate was fearful of death and vocal about it. On November 5th, 1983, I received a call about my grandmother passing, and I saw to her funeral arrangements according to her wishes.
As it was November and very cold in New England. I was shocked as at the wake (or viewing as some term it), to see a registered nurse escorting down the aisle my grandmother's room mate on such a cold night. She wheeled her to me and said, "We just couldn't keep her away. She was determined to see you and pay respects". She further explained the room mate was so agitated, it was determined it was best she was permitted to come.
Her room mate was very agitated; she didn't express her condolences, she didn't even say hello; instead with a determined purpose she asked me a question; "Who is Clem? I have to know who is Clem?".
I was taken aback some, and responded Clem was my grandfather and asked why she was asking. -- Her face lit right up, and she clapped her hands together in absolute joy with a huge smile on her face. She next said, " I knew it! ...and I am no longer afraid to die!". -- She explained to me my grandmother had around 5 am struggled, but sat right up in bed by pulling on the bed rails looking at the foot of the bed calling out the name Clem. She said my grandmother was smiling so brightly and she stretched out her arms reaching out to him. The room mate called out to my grandmother to understand what was happening, but it was as if she couldn't hear hear her as she kept focused on this unseen person. Then my grandmother let herself lay back down and she gave up her spirit with a smile, and passed away. --
My grandmother's room mate witnessed this, and had to confirm who my grandmother saw before she died. Her room mate was glowing and smiling,.. she never went to the casket to bid a farewell to my grandmother and said again, she is no longer afraid to die and my grandmother is not in that casket, she was with my grandfather. What a comfort that was to me, and obviously it was to her as well.
Inscription
Anna(Wakula)Budko
Gravesite Details
Sister: 8541792
Family Members
See more Stempowicz or Wakula memorials in:
- Saint Lawrence Cemetery Stempowicz or Wakula
- West Haven Stempowicz or Wakula
- New Haven County Stempowicz or Wakula
- Connecticut Stempowicz or Wakula
- USA Stempowicz or Wakula
- Find a Grave Stempowicz or Wakula
