Woman of the Century

Irene Bukowski Celebrated As She Turns 100

Irene Bukowski is surrounded by her family: (front, from left) Taylor Black and Paul Black; (middle) Paul Black, Ali Black , Irene, Brett Bukowski; (back) Bob Stec, Steve Bukowski, Barb Bukowski, Mary Stec.

Never did two words ring more true.

“Sto Lat” is a Polish birthday song. The title translates to “One Hundred Years,” and expresses the wish to reach that milestone.

Irene Bukowski often chimed that tune for family members in Philadelphia and Sea Isle City. The song became prophetic – and most special – when she turned 100 on March 14.

The new centenarian sang it, in Polish, for family, friends and dignitaries during her birthday party at The Shores, the retirement community in Ocean City where she now lives.

By the time Irene belted the tune, she had technically outlived the song and begun a second century. Irene’s party was held the day after the magic birthday, enabling dozens of people to attend her Friday party.

Guests included Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard Desiderio, who presented her with a plaque and designated that week as Irene Bukowski Week in Sea Isle City.

Congratulatory plaques also came from the Cape May County Commissioners, New Jersey State and General Assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Watching his mother celebrate summoned memories for 74-year-old Steve Bukowski, the only child of Irene and Leonard Bukowski. His parents were married 60 years. They split time between Philadelphia and Sea Isle City and embraced this community.

Steve and his wife Barb have enjoyed a long love affair here after buying a home with his parents in 1983. Steve’s father died in 2004, but Irene maintained a Sea Isle City civic presence for another two decades. She has only recently begun to slow down.

Photos top left, clockwise: Irene with fellow Beachcomber guides and at a Sit-Fit Seniors and Chair Yoga in 2016. Irene with Cape May County assistant commissioner/vice director Andrew Bulakowski, Mayor Desiderio, commissioner Steve Bukowski, and Barb Bukowski. Irene with some of her friends from Sea Isle.

The last couple decades saw her in fitness classes, guiding the beachcombing tours that she and Irene Jamison started in the early 1990s, helping with the annual Sara the Turtle Party fundraiser, and volunteering at New Year’s Eve events. It saw her actively involved with the local Catholic Daughters chapter at St. Joseph Church and with the SIC Garden Club.

Irene has gained many distinctions throughout Sea Isle City, including a local Volunteer of the Year Award when she was 90.

It’s been quite a ride.

And now, here she was, basking in the adulation of others.

“Mom and Dad settled nicely in Sea Isle City and this could not have worked out any better,” their son says. “We had vacationed in the area and really loved the idea that Sea Isle had a community feeling, rather than that of a city. We figured back then that if we didn’t like the home, we could sell it in three or four years. Well, 41 years later, that hasn’t happened.

“Mom has loved the community here. And all of us have spent so much time together in it. My mom got to watch her grandchildren Brett and Ali grow up and spend significant time here all summer. [She now has two great-grandchildren, too.] All of us have been a team.”

That’s one side of Irene Bukowski. The other reflects a kinship with many friends, who enjoy her company.

“Mom is a person that has always given way more than she wanted to receive,” Steve asserts. “She is kind and thoughtful, always willing to extend herself to family and friends. Many people I know call her Babci, which is Polish for grandmother. When it came time for her 100th, I would tell them that Babci was going to be 100, they wanted to be there.”

Steve touts his mother’s good character, integrity, ethics, and demeanor. She never raises her voice, but does elevate the feelings of others.

An avid basketball and baseball enthusiast, Steve likens his mother to the cleanup hitter you never worry about. Whatever is needed for any situation, the cleanup hitter delivers.

Photos left to right: Irene, seen here with Chick Flora, was named Knights of Columbus Citizen of the Year in 2017. Len and Irene Bukowski pose in front of Barb and Steve Bukowski, with Ali and Brett Bukowski at top.

Dolores Meyers seconds the nature. She has long seen Irene’s outgoing nature as an icebreaker.

Bukowski is part of a social group brought together by involvement in Catholic Daughters, other community organizations and, for many, being widowers. The women formed their own unofficial family and Irene has been something of a ringleader.

“She can go up to anybody and start a conversation,” Meyers says. “She’s an extremely friendly person and will help anybody.

“Irene has told us many great stories. We love listening to her talk about growing up on a farm [in Wilkes-Barre, Pa]. She had to work hard with her chores. I think that’s why she has managed to live to 100. Irene has always been active, and we would see it with her walking 2 or 3 miles every day.

“I am so happy for her reaching 100. She started talking about it when she was about 92 and saying she was going to make it.”

Meyers has her own interesting story. She had a retirement “warmup,” finding a Sea Isle City place while still working at QVC in West Chester. She spent eight years splitting time between Pennsylvania and Sea Isle City before retiring here at age 65.

“I do a lot of driving now because I’m the youngest in this group, and I’m 82,” she laughs.

Chickie Flora witnessed the lighter, brighter side of her longtime friend.

As the Catholic Daughters president, Flora left the 50-50 raffle to Irene, a natural. The women lived a block away from each other and have bonded for many years.

“One of the most delightful jobs that she ever loved was being in charge of collecting for the 50-50,” Flora laughs. “She did this at every meeting. We had over 100 members. Over the years, that raised quite a bit of money, which we used to help support two children living in South America.

“I feel so blessed that we have all been part of something that is so helpful to many people.”

There is one 50-50 gamble Irene won. Her penchant for daily walking undoubtedly encouraged longevity. Irene put that to good use in giving tours for the city along the beach.

“She must have been 90-something when she was doing that,” Flora says.

Through it all, Irene continually uttered a three-word phrase Flora has never forgotten.

“She doesn’t just say ‘Thank you, but thank you kindly,’” Flora indicates. “She never forgets to add the ‘kindly.’ Irene is energetic, and joyful. Everybody loves Irene.”

So much so that they showed up with bells on for her birthday and listened to a song dating back to her young adult life, long before Irene Bukowski was “Babci.”

They toasted her milestone and celebrated the lady who generates a lot – or Sto Lat – of love.