Wanda Rozmarek, 89, an author and teacher, wrote a book on teaching Polish and taught the language in high schools, adult education programs and to small children in Pennsylvania and, in recent years, in Chicago.
A resident of Chicago’s Avondale neigborhood, she died Monday in St. Mary’s Hospital.
“She has devoted a lifetime to the teaching of the Polish language, its songs, dances, poetry and culture,” said her daughter, Cook County Circuit Judge Marilyn Rozmarek Komosa. “When ethnicity wasn’t as accepted as it is now, she knocked on school doors and, almost single-handedly, was responsible for getting Polish reintroduced into the curriculum of Catholic and public schools and colleges in the Chicago area.”
She received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Boston University. Before her marriage, she taught Spanish and French in Boston public schools.
She taught Polish in Chicago at Wright Junior College, Daley College, Madonna High School, St. Hyacinth grade school and the Illinois Division of the Polish American Congress. She also taught English to Polish immigrants.
Her late husband, Charles, served as president of the Polish National Alliance and she helped organize three alliance lodges.
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Survivors, besides her daughter, include another daughter, Elaine Tovar; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday in Laskowski Funeral Home, 4540 W. Diversey Ave.
Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Hyacinth Catholic Church, 3636 W. Wolfram St.