This rosary belongs to my mother, gifted to her by her godmother. My grandmother, Eugenia, prayed the rosary frequently. I remember as a little girl (she babysat me and my brothers), after going to bed I kept hearing a faint whisper. I asked my Busia (Polish for grandma) what’s that noise. She said she doesn’t hear anything and to go back to bed.  Again I could hear it….this time I peeked around the corner and saw my Busia’s lips moving as she moved about the house. She saw me and stopped. I told her she was making the noise I heard. She smiled and said she was saying her prayers.

Her mother, my great grandmother, Mary (Zawilinski) Baron, came the US with her 4 young children: Matt, Emily, Eugenia & Vic from Cracow, Poland in the early 1900’s after her husband died from TB. She had cousins in the Chicago area. My mother isn’t sure when or why they made their way to Lackawanna, NY.  Mary Baron remarried Stanley Ostrozny, and had 3 more children: Joe, Anna & Stella. 

My Busia’s inspiration and dedication has stayed with me. I try to follow in my grandmother’s footsteps and pray the Rosary daily or as often as I can.  

– Eileen C.

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant