Anna (Ziza) Porada

In loving Memory of Anna Porada

January 26, 1925 - September 14, 2018

On January 26, 1925 Anna Ziza was born in the tiny village of Chernigovskiy, Zaporozskaya Providence in the Ukraine. She was one of nine children. Her family had very little money, and could provide only a few necessities, often not even those. Food was scarce on their humble farm, and often the family would go to bed hungry praying for a better tomorrow. She was fortunate to attend school until sixth grade. In the winter, her sister would often carry her piggy back to school. For Anna often had no shoes of her own and her one dress was well worn.

In 1943, Anna’s life, along with much of the world changed because the German Army invaded her little village when she was 16 years old. World War II entered her life. She was taken, along with many others and transported to a Farm Slave Labor Camp in Germany by train. She remembers thanking God when she arrived, that she was one of the lucky ones that got to work and not sent off to the nearby concentration camp.

Anna worked hard each day and did all she was told. Her main job was to milk cows. Life was frightening, for she never knew if this would be her final day or for one of the others. While on the farm, she met a young man named Wladyslaw, who also was a slave laborer taken from his home country Poland. Anna was quite shy, did not speak Polish, but Wladyslaw watched out for her as well as many others. For often the area would be bombed or under fire. Wladyslaw always made sure his Anna made it to the bomb shelter, or he would help her with her work when he could. Life and survival were a daily challenge, but through it all shy Anna fell in love with Wladyslaw. As Wladyslaw did with his beautiful wife to be.

When the war ended things were tough, but a new better chapter began for the two of them. They were both taken to a relocation camp along with many of their friends they had made while working on the German farm. Soon they were married and life blessed them with a son Walter, and a few years later a lovely daughter, Sophie. Life was hard at the camp; they both had dreams that their children would have a better life. God answered their prayers. A little Catholic Church, St. Mary’s in Seattle, was sponsoring families displaced after the war to come to America. They filled out the paper work and were accepted. So with two children in hand, along with two dollars, and a small suitcase they came by ship to New York, and then took a train to Seattle. Walter was six and Sophie three.

They lived in one house with many other families when they arrived. They took any and every job to survive in this new country, America. Wladyslaw and Anna eventually saved enough to buy their own home, something they so wanted for their children. In 1955 they had their first child in America Mary and their second in 1964, Donna.

This little family grew quickly. 93 years later Anna and Wladyslaw were married 72 years, raised four children Walter (wife Nancy), Sophie, Mary (husband Craig), and Donna (husband Don). Who then blessed her life with nine grandchildren; Nadia, Lydia, Henry, Kathy, David, Brian, Nicholas, Laura and Siena and eleven great-grandchildren. She was able to meet and welcome into the world each one. God had answered and heard the dreams and prayers of Anna and Wladyslaw made long ago in a relocation camp in war torn Germany. She has remembered each and every child, grand child and great-grandchild’s birthday. She would often make a special puzzle and leave a message of her love and pride on the back, so they would know and remember how special each was to her and Wladyslaw.

Anna lived a full and long life indeed. She enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and wrestling in the evening, spent endless hours in her beautiful garden, loved cooking, baking and celebrating good times with her family and friends, put together endless puzzles, and sent care packages to the family she left in the Ukraine. She was able to go back three times with her husband to see them. One of her proudest accomplishments was to become an American citizen. Her daughter Donna made her flash cards with questions, and she studied diligently. Each time someone came over she asked them to quiz her…and yes…she passed and was so proud and happy.

On September 14, 2018 she went home to be with the Lord. She passed quietly a few moments after her youngest daughter Donna said “Mom you did well, you raised your kids, worked hard, did your best… Now it is time for you to go heaven, hug dad, and be at peace." A few moments later she passed quietly.

Anna, lovely lady, faithful loving wife in good times and in bad, proud mother, loving grandmother, and thankful great-grandmother knew she was blessed and loved each and every one. We come together today to celebrate her beautiful smile, big hugs and the love she brought into our lives.

Her grand-daughter, Laura asked her as part of a family heritage research project what the most important things she learned in life.” She replied, “Laura life is not easy, but trust God, pray often, love your family and others, work hard, do your best and always share whatever you have.“ 

Which is exactly what our lovely mother, grandmother; great grandmother and sweet friend did with her life.

We close with the following quote from Norton to summarize our feelings and thoughts.

“Those we hold most dear, never truly leave us…

They live on in the kindness they showed, the comfort they shared, and the love they brought into our lives.” Thank you Heavenly Father for blessing our lives with Anna.

We invite you after the service, to come join us to celebrate with the family her lovely life, enjoy some food, and share memories. You are welcome to take one of the puzzles she so enjoyed making in her memory. She would be honored.