It is with a heavy heart that we report that Mrs. Joanna Olczak (1950-2022), Polish teacher at both the Middle School and High School levels, passed away on January 27, 2022. She was a part of ASW family since 2004.

Mrs. Olczak is a shining example of a life well-lived, and the kind of educator and human being all of us aspire to be. During the 18 years Joanna taught at ASW, she touched the lives of countless community members. Her energy, spirit, sense of humor, intellect, generosity, compassion, love of teaching, and countless other beautiful traits are what all of us admired about her.

Her beautifully worded obituary should give an idea of what an extraordinary person Mrs. Olczak was even to those who were not fortunate to meet her:

"Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Sister.

A teacher of Polish, educator, erudite, feminist.

An unconventional and independent woman.

Beautiful, delightful, inspiring."

The funeral sevice will be held on February 7, 2022 at 12 p.m. at Kościół Świętej Trójcy (pl. Małachowskiego 1) and then proceed to the Evangelical-Augsburg Cemetery on ul. Młynarska 54/56/58.

Instead of bringing flowers to the service, people are welcome to donate to the Salvation Foundation that supports refugee women. There is a sub-account specifically created in Memory of Joanna Olczak.