Paula Marek

Paula Marek, age 90, of Bayside, WI, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 8, 2021. Paula is survived by Joseph, her loving husband of 65 years; her children Janet (Denny) and George (Jeff); her grandchildren Mark, Emily (Derek), Katherine (Jon) and Michael (Hannah); her great grandchildren Emmett, Harper, Eleanor and Esme; her siblings Josephine (John), Henry (Alfreda), Christine (the late Richard) and Teresa (David) along with nieces, nephews, other family and friends. Paula is preceded in death by her parents Stefan and Janina. Prior to moving to Bayside several years ago, Paula was a long-time resident of Greendale, Wisconsin. She and Joe lived in their Greendale home for fifty years and made many good friends in the community. Paula was born in Poland, where she and her family fled their home during World War II to escape the invading Russian forces. During the war Paula, several of her siblings and her parents were forced to work in a German munitions plant. Despite suffering extreme hardship, the entire family survived. After the end of the war, Paula and her sister Josephine moved to Quebec, Canada. In the early 1950s, they rejoined their parents and other siblings, who had emigrated to the United States, first living in rural Wisconsin and then Milwaukee. Paula met her future husband Joseph - a fellow native Pole who also emigrated to the United States after World War II - in Milwaukee, and they were married in 1955. Paula continued to work outside of the home until the birth of her first child Janet. Paula always said that she thoroughly enjoyed being a mother and homemaker -- it was "her best job." Anyone who knew Paula also knows that as much as she enjoyed being a mother, she loved being a grandmother - and more recently a great-grandmother. She and Joe were doting, active grandparents, particularly after Joe retired. In addition to her devotion to family, Paula was a long-time member of Polanki, the Polish Women's Cultural Club of Milwaukee, whose mission is to preserve Polish traditions and promote Polish heritage. Paula spent many years working with other Polanki members at the Holiday Folk Fair, and at numerous events at the Polish Center of Wisconsin. Paula and Joe were avid travelers, both in the United States and in Europe. Proud American citizens since the 1950s, Paula and Joe instilled a great love of the United States to their family, while also opening their eyes to the larger world. Paula lived for her family and loved her life – may she continue within our memories with remembrances of her love for her Joe, for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and spending time with family. May she forever dream of the beautiful moments in her life. Paula will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Visitation will be held at Max A Sass & Sons Funeral Home (1515 W Oklahoma Ave, Milwaukee) on Wednesday, January 13 from 6 pm until 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church (6060 W Loomis Rd, Greendale) on Thursday, January 14, at 11 am. Entombment will take place at St. Adalbert's Catholic Cemetery at 12:45 pm. In order to stop the spread of the coronavirus, masks and social distancing will be observed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Basilica of Saint Josaphat or to the Polish Center of Wisconsin. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at the Elizabeth Residence and to Lawlis Family Hospice for the loving care shown to Paula and her family.