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Nellie Ciembronowicz: 'Always time to help'
By None
ROCKFORD WOMAN
Dec 20, 2007 @ 01:00 AM
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Nellie was born and raised in Canada of Polish-born parents. She met her husband, Chester, when she visited relatives in Rockford in 1947. She returned a year later to marry him and settle here. She spent more than 20 years at Penguin Foods as a caterer. Her husband owned Rockford Sausage, adjacent to Penguin Foods, and now their son owns it and Nell occasionally helps with office work or errands.
Age: 80
City of Residence: Rockford
Family: Children David, Lake Zurich; James, Machesney Park; Cynthia Outzen, Williamsport, Pa.; and Jeffrey, O’Fallon, Mo. Grandchildren Michelle, Johnathan, Tim, Katie, Julie, Christopher and Jonathan. Great-grandchildren Nicholas, Mason, Tristan and Matthew. Husband, Chester, died in 1994.
Church: Member of St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church since 1948. Accompanies Communion minister who visits sick parishioners and those in nursing homes. Helps with fundraisers such as spaghetti dinners and bakes and makes items for Christmas bazaar and bake sales. Helps assemble 300 Easter baskets, which are sold to raise money for church. Helps clean and decorate parish facilities for religious and Polish church holidays. Makes afghans for friends and people in nursing homes. Member of the church choir.
Daily schedule:
I start with Mass. Most days, I have someone on the calendar to help. One of my sisters-in-law now has a caregiver but she doesn’t drive so I take her places. I help a 97-year-old woman with her daily errands. She is Polish and speaks little English so I help her get things she needs, like home repairs. Her only family is in Poland. I interpret for a Polish couple in their business affairs. I visit my 91-year-old sister. All of these people, I take them on car rides to the apple orchard or to the cemetery to visit the grave of their loved one or shopping. Along with others in our church, I’m donating clothing and household items for two large African families who were in refugee camps for 20 years and just moved into our church. They speak French.
Most rewarding:
I’m happy helping those who need my help or have no one else. When I do that, I feel good. Yesterday, it was my turn to take food to a couple. One of them is very ill. Their daughter is their caregiver but she doesn’t have time to cook.
Life philosophy:
There is always time to help someone.
What people don’t know:
My given Polish name is Anelia. It was shortened to Nell or Nellie a long time ago.
Young women today:
I wish they would not give their children so many things and would spend more time with them and give them more love.
Your childhood:
I was in a lot of plays. In one, I sang a song in Polish. My mom was a very giving person. She had nine children and she still helped others when she could.
What I’d like to be remembered for:
That I was a good person, a good mother, a friend to somebody
If you had been born now?:
I am absolutely glad I was born when I was. I feel sorry for young children, the way the world is today. They are exposed to so much, on TV, even in computers. Computers are wonderful if you as the parent know what your children are looking at. It is hard to bring up children today.
To relax:
I love to sew, crochet, knit, bake and spend time with my family. Oh, and I love my flowers, my roses. I just planted 400 tulip bulbs. I also have a vegetable garden and can tomatoes, cucumbers and rhubarb, other vegetables, and I make jellies. They are great gifts.
Favorite indulgence:
Traveling. Two of my favorite trips were to Poland and Lourdes (France). I love going to visit my family.
What might surprise people:
I love playing the slot machines at casinos.
Current goal:
I’d like to spend more time with children and grandchildren. Oh, and have a little more time to myself. But that will come.
Comment from her son, David, who nominated Nellie:
“Her days are spent in thinking about what other people need and want, and how she can help them, not about herself or what she wants. She has never asked for anything in return. Her actions speak louder than any words that could be spoken as she shows up all the time to help when help is needed by friends and strangers alike.”
