Eleanor Regina Twardzik was born June 10, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois. She was the second of two daughters of Jacob & Victoria (nee Wojtowicz) Twardzik.
Eleanor excelled in academics and graduated from Taft High School in Chicago in 1951.
In 1949, when she was 16, she attended a church picnic at her Polish church. It was there that she met Edwin Brzezinski when he asked her to dance. While she thought it was a little odd for him to wear a seersucker suit to a picnic, she said yes. Lots of letters and occasional phone calls followed, as Ed was from St Louis. Edwin, by then a college man, escorted Eleanor to her senior prom.
After high school, Eleanor went to nursing school at Illinois Masonic Hospital and became a Registered Nurse on May 3, 1954.
A little over 71 years ago, Ed proposed to Eleanor on her birthday in 1953.
On May 22, 1955, Ed and Eleanor married after Ed’s return from deployment to Korea in the US Army. Eleanor moved to St Louis where she would live over 70 years, nearly all of it in one zip code.
A year after they were married, their first child, Ed Jr., was born. Eleanor worked nights at a hospital while Edwin attended law school.
By 1960, the young family moved to Crestwood, adding daughters Ellen and Elaine, and the world’s best dog ever, Zippy.
To take care of their family, Eleanor took a pause from nursing. Along the way, she was a Room Mother, active with the Cub Scouts, Girl Scout troop leader, Guardian of Bethel #54 of Job’s Daughters, church volunteer and a volunteer school nurse.
When the kids were grown, she went back to work at Bethesda Hospital and spent lots of time with various Polish civic organizations.
She served as First Vice President of the Polish American Cultural Society of St Louis, taking on the responsibility of recruiting debutants for the annual Polonaise Ball. She was also an officer in the American Council for Polish Culture, and was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Polish American War Veterans.
Eleanor got immense joy from sharing the beauty, rich history and culture of Poland and all things Polish with schools, libraries and various civic groups.
Her dedication to Poland culminated in an award from the Republic of Poland – the Order of Merit, which was truly an honor.
Ed’s retirement in 1989 meant travel. The two of them visited every state, went on multiple cruises, visited several countries and went to Poland a handful of times. From the Great Wall of China, the pyramids of Egypt, Bethlehem, Panama Canal, Buckingham Palace – they truly saw the world.
Retirement also meant they began to enjoy extended time on the beach in Singer Island, Florida.
Special memories of mom include homemade pizzas on Saturday night watching Love Boat and Fantasy Island, homemade tomato soup, her love of talking on the phone, rye bread & butter, tomatoes, mushrooms and her ability to be late pretty much all the time.
Her beloved husband of 67 years preceded her in death in 2022. She is survived by Ed, Jr (Stacy), Ellen, Elaine, grandchildren Jeff (Caitlin), Kim (Ross) and great granddaughter Renelle. She is also survived by nephews Robert (Christine) and Jack (Adeline), amazing neighbors BD Chris, Bill, Cindy, Joe, Carol and Karen, precious cousins, friends and special friends at Delmar Villas South and Fairmont on Clayton.
Services: Visitation at Kutis Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois, Tuesday August 6th, 3 – 8 p.m. with services Wednesday, August 7th at 11 a.m. Interment St. Peter’s Cemetery. Donations to Salvation Army, Shriners Children’s St. Louis | Children’s Hospital (shrinerschildrens.org) and Polish American Cultural Society, appreciated.
I am so thankful to have shared many beautiful times with Edwin & Eleanor. Such a beautiful couple that I truly admire! Reading her legacy made my heart smile . I learned so much from them and she taught me about her background and Poland in many ways but also through sharing yummy polish deserts. It also made me laugh when mentioning ,“her love of talking on the telephone “ because she took it with her everywhere !! I love you so much Eleanor!
Dearest Ellen, we remember your Mom fondly. We spent time with Mom at the American Polish Club in Lake Worth FL celebrating Wigilia and honoring our Polish heritage. We loved when Mom and Dad were at Singer Island, FL and we would have lunch at Johnny Longboats for the Polish omelette. We are so sorry for your loss and our hearts break with yours. Love you our dearest friend. Basia and Annie Ostrowski.
Dear Elaine,
Our hearts are with you as you mourn the loss of your beloved mother, Eleanor. Her life was a testament to love, family, and cultural pride. From her nursing career to her dedication to Polish heritage, Eleanor touched many lives with her warmth and passion. May cherished memories of Saturday night pizzas, world travels, and her joyful spirit bring you comfort during this difficult time.
With deepest sympathy,
Dearest Elaine, I may not have had the pleasure of meeting your mother, but her zest for travel, professional dedication and humor show up in you. Praying for you and your family.
With deepest condolences and love.
I am so grateful for the times I spent with Eleanor. She was such a sweet and lovely person. She was full of enthusiasm for sharing family history and I learned so much from her. I will miss her but happy that she is with her Edwin.
Sending love and sympathy
I first met Eleanor and her dear husband, Ed, in 1998 at a Polish Easter Dinner Event sponsored by the Polish Cultural Society of St. Louis, at which the couple “befriended” my wife, Cynthia, and me. Eleanor and Ed led a wonderful trip to Poland under the auspices of the Society in 1999 in which I took part.
Later, my older daughter asked Eleanor and Ed to come to her elementary school in Owensville, Missouri, to do a presentation as “ambassadors” of Polish culture., a role in which the pair frequently engaged down through the years.
Eleanor helped that same daughter to prepare to be debutante at the Cultural Society’s Polonez Ball in 2005. Eleanor and Ed were occasional dinner guests at Cynthia’s and my Owensville home.
Eleanor’s warm heart and love for Polish Culture, and championing appreciation of it, were evident to all. She will be missed.
Richard Tragasz
Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Elaine, your parents and my parents (Paul and Laura Kukawski Taszarek) shared a special friendship and a love of everything Polish. They went to PAC events, polka dances, and picnics. My parents attended the Polonaise Ball every year..
Your parents had a beautiful Polish display at the Muny. My daughter, Elizabeth, said “I have that, and that “ pointing to the items on display. Your parents laughed when we introduced ourselves.. Then the Polonaise Ball recruitment began. Sadly, my parents were not here to attend but they watched from heaven, as my husband, Kevin Kundert, escorted Elizabeth to be presented. We filled several tables of guests with family both local and out of state. Everyone sang and danced every Polka. Your parents made that memory for our family and they will always be remembered and loved!!!
We just learned of your Mothers passing today from a mutual friend. Thought of Eleanor often and naturally every time we look out our kitchen window, how could we not think of your parents, it will always be the Brzezinski’s house. Our deepest sympathy to the entire family