Stephanie B. Winowicz

We note with great sadness the passing of charter member, Stephanie Barbara Balwan Winowicz, 92, co-owner of Winowicz Funeral Service, Trenton, NJ, passed away peacefully in her sleep Saturday morning, June 21, 2014, at Saint Joseph's Residence at Morris Hall, Lawrenceville, NJ. Stephanie was born and raised in the Village of Cuylerville, NY, on Dec. 18, 1921. At age 13, Stephanie was sent by her parents to Trenton to reside with her aunt, who moved there to work at the former LaCorona Cigar Factory. Stephanie went to Trenton to spend a summer, but as she often recounted "fell in love with Trenton and decided to stay." Stephanie attended Holy Cross Parochial School and because the Felician sisters there taught in Polish, she became fluent in the Polish language. She was an active member, and eventually president, of the Holy Cross Parish Ladies Sodality. She volunteered as a cloakroom attendant at the Sodality's many social dinners. When asked to dance by a young man she did not fancy, she excused herself, saying she could not leave the cloakroom. At one Sodality dance, the son of a local prominent funeral director, Stanley Winowicz, asked her to dance and without hesitation she abandoned the cloakroom. Courtship followed. Stephanie attended Trenton High School, was proud to be a member of the "Red Team," and graduated in 1940. During World War II, while Stanley served in the United States Navy, Stephanie served the cause of freedom as well, working at Trenton's Switlik Parachute Company assembling parachutes for the Armed Forces. Stephanie was instrumental in Switlik's Ladies Bowling Team, winning the 1944 East Coast championship. The war ended and in 1946, Stephanie and Stanley were married at Holy Cross Church, Trenton. They had a son, Stanley Jr. In 1956, Stephanie enrolled at the American Academy School of Funeral Service in New York City. She graduated one year later. A true female pioneer in the funeral business, she was licensed in 1959 and worked alongside Stanley Sr. and after his death in 1993, with her son, Stanley Jr., who today is co-owner of the family business. Stephanie is often remembered by client families of the funeral service for her kind gestures, support, words, her attention to detail, and even her uncanny ability to drive and maneuver their stretch limousine, even in her later years. Stephanie was very proud to have earned her funeral director license. She was active in the Mercer County Funeral Directors Association, co-chairing many of its events, parties and holiday gatherings and attending the many required continuing education courses for licensure. Prior to her passing, Stephanie was the oldest active licensed funeral director registered with the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association and the oldest member of the Mercer County association. Among her many other civic activities, Stephanie was a life member and past president of the Navy League, Trenton Ladies Council; life member of the Catholic War Veterans, Holy Cross Post 417, Ladies Auxiliary; charter member of the Polish Arts Club of Trenton and former chair of its Polonaise Debutantes Ball for many years; and, member of the Polish-American Club of Central Jersey, Holy Cross Parish Renew Group, the WHY Club, and Mushroom Club. Stephanie and Stanley Sr. truly enjoyed socializing, often dining with friends at the Geneva Inn, Marroe Inn, Glendale Inn and many Chambersburg restaurants. Stephanie was predeceased by her parents, Peter Balwan and Agnes "Hedwig" Wierzbicka Balwan; her husband, Stanley J. Winowicz Sr.; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Maximilian and Helen Winowicz; sister, Stella Ciosmak Brylinski, and brother, Peter M. Balwan. She is survived by her son, Stanley J. Jr., captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.); nieces, Julie, Mary, Helen and Betsy, and nephew, Peter. Stephanie's son is grateful to the staff of Morris Hall for the compassionate care they extended to his mother these past years at St. Mary's Grace Gardens and at St Joseph's Residence these past months. The funeral will be held Saturday, June 28, 2014, at 10 a.m. from the Winowicz Funeral Home, 308 Adeline St., Trenton. A Funeral Liturgy will be concelebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Divine Mercy Parish, Church of the Holy Cross, Trenton, with Rev. Dennis Apoldite as principal celebrant and Msgr. Edward J. Arnister as homilist. Burial will follow in the family plot in Holy Cross Cemetery, Hamilton Township. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2014, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Winowicz Funeral Chapel, 865 Brunswick Ave., Trenton, and on Friday, June 27, 2014, from 4 to 8 p.m., and again on Saturday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Winowicz Funeral Home, 308 Adeline St. (corner of Beatty Street), Trenton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the Polish Arts Club of Trenton, 953 Mulberry St., Lawrence, NJ 08648 (note Stephanie Winowicz Scholarship Fund on the memo line); the Catholic War Veterans, Holy Cross Post 417, 301 Grand St., Trenton, NJ 08611, or to the donor's parish or church affiliation where Mrs. Winowicz provided service for the donor's family. The Polish Arts Club extends our deepest sympathy to her family.  We will miss Stephanie's sweet cheerful smile, her kindness and dedication.