Adele Antoinette Dworzynski (née Kosinski) January 31, 1923 – January 15, 2026
Adele Dworzynski, a true matriarch, passed away on January 15, 2026, just sixteen days before her 103rd birthday. Adele leaves behind a great legacy, a storied life, and many memories for those who knew and loved her. Born in Krakow, Poland to Maria and Anthony Kosinski, she was the second of seven children and enjoyed her childhood until she was taken from her home in 1941 by German Soldiers at the age of 17. Separated from her family, never to see her parents again, she worked on a farm in Horb, Germany until the end of WWII. It was during this time that Adele met her beloved Edward, who worked on a neighboring farm after being captured as a prisoner of war while serving in the Polish Cavalry. When the war finally ended, Adele and Edward married and settled in the Black Forest region in the town of Rottweil. While in Germany, they had three daughters — Christine, Helen and Lucy, and in 1952, began their journey to America, arriving at Ellis Island on January 20, 1952. Even as a young girl, Adele dreamed of living in America, among the skyscrapers. And though the journey was long and difficult, her dream had come true. She and Edward worked long, hard days to provide for their young family and would soon settle in Chicago, where they welcomed their fourth daughter, Ursula.
Along with Edward, Adele built a life that embodied the American dream — arriving with nearly nothing and becoming a thriving member of her community, her church and her workplace. For 35 years she worked at Salerno where she was treasured by many friends and valued for her hard work. Over the years, she reunited with her six siblings, watched her daughters marry and loved each of her eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren with her entire, enormous heart.
Though her life was full of tremendous work, struggle, and sacrifice, she was always strong, kind, and generous. Adele was always there for her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grand children, caring for us all with healthy portions of bread and butter and sausage, wiping babies faces and bottoms, even boiling the grandchildren’s socks to be their brightest white. She felt deeply for those in need and would always help strangers and friends alike with anything she could give. Adele taught her family what dedication, determination, empathy, and unconditional love look like. It is up to us all, her family and friends, to honor her long and faceted life, carrying on the lessons shared and values she lived. While we will always cherish the time we spent with our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and are deeply grateful for the exceptional life she lived, we find comfort in knowing she is now at rest.
Adele is survived by her brother, Joseph Kosinski; her daughters, Christine (Roy) Santos, Helen Krakow, and Lucy Majkszak; son-in-law, Mark Nasciszewski; and her grandchildren, Amy (Jeff) Richardson, Kimberly Santos, Ron (Carmen) Santos, Katie Majkszak, Gabrielle (Thomas) Lopresto, Adrienne (Frank) Carello, Peter Nasciszewski, Carolyn (Kevin) Stott, Emily Nasciszewski (James McTigue), and Paul Nasciszewski. She is also survived by nine greatgrandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward; her daughter, Ursula Nasciszewski; her granddaughter, Laurie Simon; her sons-in-law, Fred Krakow and Joseph Majkszak; five of her six siblings; and many friends.
Adele will be laid to rest on January 20, 2026 — the 74th anniversary of her arrival in the United States.