Assembly Resolution No. 158

BY: M. of A. Buttenschon

CONGRATULATING Mary Jane Dowiak Wajda upon the
occasion of celebrating her 100th Birthday

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commemorate
and recognize certain milestones celebrated by citizens of this great
Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge
to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their
past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and
valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Mary Jane Dowiak Wajda upon the occasion of her 100th
Birthday to be celebrated on Thursday, May 6, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Born on May 6, 1921, in Yonkers, New York, Mary Jane Dowiak
and her family later moved to a farm in Newport, New York, where she and
her four sisters milked a herd of 56 dairy cows every day; and

WHEREAS, A 1938 graduate of Poland Central School in Poland, New
York, Mary Jane Dowiak, who is of Polish descent, has a command of the
Polish language, and has taught and translated the language to family
and friends, along with Bosnian and Ukrainian; amazingly, she still
retains the ability to converse in French, the language she studied
while at Poland Central School; and

WHEREAS, After meeting the love of her life at a birthday party,
Mary Jane Dowiak and Ted Wajda were united in marriage in 1941, a
blessed union which lasted nearly 60 years; and

WHEREAS, Mary Jane Dowiak Wajda worked at Utica Knitting Mill and
American Emblem, sewing long underwear and fashioning medals for World
War II soldiers in combat; this remarkable woman was the consummate
seamstress; she sewed and crafted dozens of outfits and various costumes
for her family and friends throughout the decades; she was self-taught
and learned to crochet many comforting afghans for family and friends;
and

WHEREAS, With a passion for music, Mary Jane Dowiak Wajda mastered
the violin, accordion and organ; upon request, she will still regale
with an hour-long concert on the organ in her living room; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Mary Jane Dowiak Wajda and her husband bought
empty acreage and together built the housing area known as Harts Hill
Circle in Whitesboro; and

WHEREAS, Mary Jane Dowiak Wajda's accomplishments are numerous and
notable, but the two things in her life of which she is most proud are
her daughters, Kathleen and Suzanne, who both appear frequently at the
family home in Whitesboro to give care and support to their mother; and

WHEREAS, Mary Jane Dowiak Wajda, with her zest for life, has
inspired and enhanced the lives of her family and friends; and

WHEREAS, This exceptional centenarian has experienced the incredible
joys and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the
stamina and courage to savor a full life; and

WHEREAS, Mary Jane Dowiak Wajda has enriched the lives of those
around her through her joyous and sincere love for others and through
the quiescent charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of
years; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly
recognize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have
witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and
awesome achievements of this country during the last century, while
themselves contributing to the growth and excellence of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Mary Jane Dowiak Wajda upon the occasion of celebrating her
100th Birthday; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Mary Jane Dowiak Wajda.