Wilhelmina Bushewicz

WILHELMINA JANCZYNSKA BUSHEWICZ Aged 91, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 1, 2013. She was preceded in death by her husband of over 40 years, Robert and leaves behind her brother, Jakub Janczynski of Opole, Poland, several cousins in Poland, Robert's relatives and many friends. Wilma 's story is truly Twentieth Century history. She was born in 1921 in Horodyszce, Poland to Jan Janczynski and Paulina Ostrowska Janczynska. Her parents died during World War II . Her 12 year old brother, trapped behind the border when war broke out, was lost to her for 8 years. Wilma survived and went to art school after the war. When reunited with her brother, she sent him to art school also. 14 years after the war, when Poland allowed her to leave, she came to Michigan. Here she first worked as a painter at Imperial Furniture then moved into fashion illustration for Steketees, Herpolsheimers and Wurzburg's Department Stores. Wilma had been an established artist in Poland and soon became part of the art community in West Michigan. Her style was realism versus contemporary and always with a strong message. Reynold Wiedenaar wrote of Wilma, "One of the most remarkable talents to have arrived in this area in recent years is a Polish born artist, Janczynska". Wilma exhibited many places over the years including, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Hackley Art Gallery, University of Michigan Art Gallery, Grand Valley State University and Calvin College Fine Art Center where she cherished her friendship with Professor Chris Oovervorde. Much of Wilma's work was two dimensional but she also demonstrated her skill as a sculptor with a striking bust of Chopin. Another bust of Copernicus, cast in bronze, is in a number of collections across the United States. Wilma produced the statue of Mary on the St. Isidore grounds and a painting of "Our Lady of Guadalupe" for St. Joseph the Worker Church. She painted "Our Lady of the Ottawas" for Immaculate Conception Church in Peshawbestown, Michigan. Wilma and Robert were active in several Grand Rapids organizations and were founding members of the Polish Heritage Society. At her request cremation has occurred. A Memorial Mass will be said for Wilma on Thursday, February 7 at 10:30 am at St. Isidore's Church where the family will receive visitors one hour prior to the Mass. Interment at a later date. Memorial Contributions to Polish Heritage Society will be appreciated.

Tributes

Wilhelmina Bushewicz

February 1, 2013