Krystyna M. Swigoniak

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Krystyna M. Swigoniak of Eastchester on April 13, 2026. She died peacefully at home, almost two years to the day after the death of her husband Marcel. Krystyna was a woman of intellect, style, and courage, with a quick, bold wit and sense of humor. She was born in Lezajsk, Poland during the height of World War II. In 1964 she received a Masters in Economic and Commercial Sciences from the Faculty of Production and Trade at the Krakow University of Economics with a Master's thesis on trade and marketing in France. After several high level appointments, including negotiating textile trade agreements with India, she bought an apartment in Bielsko-Biala and married Marcel P. Swigoniak. At this time Poland was in the snares of the communist system. Over time, she and her husband devised a clandestine plan to escape with their two small children from Communist Poland in the mid 1970s. After a brief period in two refugee camps in Italy, she and her family received permission to immigrate to America in 1977. After having been a substantial bread winner in Poland, Krystyna retired from her economist profession to enjoy the cultural offerings of New York and the freedom to travel, while Marcel established his own Architecture firm.

She is survived by her children, Alexandra Swigon and Agnieszka (Aggy) Shawn, son-in-law Peter Shawn and grandchildren, Elizabeth, Emily and Jonathan.

Arrangements include Funeral Mass at Annunciation Church (470 Westchester Ave., Crestwood) on Friday, April 17, at 9:45am with the Burial following at approx. 11:15am at Gate of Heaven Cemetery (10 W. Stevens Avenue, Hawthorne).