ZOFIA ZBIEGIEŁ was born on March 20, 1934 and passed away on July 30, 2023 at the age of 89 in Laguna Niguel, California. She is survived by, children: Piotr, Miroslaw and Zbigniew,  grandchildren: Peter Jr., Michael, Zofia, Tomasz and Apolonia; great-grandchildren: Joseph, Filomena, Olivia, Annabelle, Lydia, Richard, Walter and Adam.

Zofia was born in Tabaszowa, Poland to her Roman Catholic parents Tekla and Władyslaw Jurkowski. Zofia grew up in Tabaszowa/Nowy Sącz, Poland, and later moved to Kamienna Góra. Zofia never liked the village/country life and decided at a young age to head for the city. In Kamienna Góra, on April 14th,1952 at the age of 17, she married Józef whom she was married to for 63 years, until his passing on October 26, 2015.

Zofia survived the WWII as a child and after moving to the City of Kamienna Góra she worked as an assistant and typist in the City Hall. Later she found a job in a shoe factory "Obuwie" as an accountant. She was known for having a very good memory, remembering the names of employees and their family members.

In 1972, Zofia, Józef, and their three boys immigrated to the United States. She worked different jobs, in a candy factory, Polish Deli and at a bank in Chicago and Monterey Park, working as a check processor, where you had to be very precise, as she dealt with a huge amounts of checks, and they had to balance at the end of the day. She took night classes to learn English language while working to support her family. In her life time, Zofia lived in Chicago, IL., Downey, CA. and finally settled in Laguna Niguel, CA. in the house of her dreams.

Zofia was a family matriarch and always worked on advancing herself professionally, while caring for her family needs. She enjoyed cooking for her family, decorating her house and having coffee time with the family. As her family members were busy with their daily tasks, she would call out "who wants a coffee?" and no one refused. There were always family gatherings to enjoy good coffee, listen to pleasant music and, most importantly, to be together. This was her way of gathering everybody in one place as a family. Zofia was our sunshine, always smiling when she woke up to the last day of her life. For the last few years of her life, she could not speak, but was aware of her surroundings and her morning always started with a smile to let us know that she was aware that there is someone next to her bed, who loved and cared for her.

Zofia enjoyed her grandchildren, whether living in Chicago or Laguna Niguel. She would spend quality time making hot coco and cookies and other sweets to spoil them, and loved the time she spent with her grandchildren. She had no favorites, loving them all equally, just as she did with her own children. Zofia always was fair and loving.

She loved her husband dearly and she missed her last birthday card from him, since he passed away before he could give it to her for her birthday. Józef would always take the time to write heartfelt messages in each birthday card in addition to birthday card wishes.

A Little Love Letter To My Wife

It takes
a very special woman
to be a wonderful wife
and mother --
someone who understands
your secrets, your hopes, and dreams –
Someone who wants only the best
for her family
and spends a lot of time and energy
trying to provide just that…..
It takes the kind of sharing
that makes life colorful and exciting
or quiet and contented,
and the kind of caring
that makes you feel warm and secure,
because you know she is there
with love you can count on --
always.

I Love You

Zofia loved the climate in California the most and enjoyed her life in the warm weather while living in beautiful Laguna Niguel. When she retired, she spent her time reading and keeping up on the world events and news. She was interested in politics, learning new dishes to prepare for her family and beautifying her home.

Zofia was well liked and a treasured friend to many in Poland and in the United States. Zofia was a religious woman, and her home Parish was Our Lady of the Bright Mount Polish Parish (Parafia Matki Boskiej Jasnogórskiej) in Los Angeles. Later in her life she attended church services at Saint Timothy Catholic Church in Laguna Niguel, as long as she was capable, before her illness kept her at home.  Every day, she would watch and listen to Polish mass on TV TRWAM, Polish television network.

Zofia was a hard worker, who as a child, lived and survived the WWII, which taught her to be a survivor. Zofia loved and was proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and will be sorely missed by her entire family and friends.

The Funeral Service will be held at Saint Timothy Catholic Church on August 23, 2023 at 10 AM.
29102 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel, California 92677

Following the church service at 1:30 PM, the burial will take place at El Toro Memorial Park
25751 Trabuco Rd., Lake Forest, California 92630

Funeral reception after the service at Mangia Bene Cucina. 27281 La Paz Rd, Suite i, Laguna Niguel

"JEZU UFAM TOBIE"

Wieczne odpoczywanie racz jej dać Panie, a światłość wiekuista niechaj jej świeci. Niech odpoczywa w pokoju wiecznym. Amen