Malgorzata died

June 17, 2025 • 11:59 am

Andrzej informed me this morning that Malgorzata died suddenly, almost instantly dropping out of life as she sat at her computer.  I had talked to her just this morning, and Andrzej said that the day had passed normally.  Then her head drooped at her desk, and she was gone.

Now she is dead, and all of us who loved her are bereft, but most especially Andrzej, who was both her life partner—they’d been married for sixty years—and her work partner. They were almost never apart: it was one of the best marriages I ever saw: a partnership of both the heart and the brain (Listy was a true collaboration).

I do not want to write more about this today, for it hurts, and I can’t wrap my head around it. I regarded her and Andrzej as my surrogate parents, and I can’t believe I’ll never speak to her again.

RIP Malgorzata; I loved you both as a surrogate mother and a good friend.

A few photos:

In the morning with Hili:

140 thoughts on “Malgorzata died”

  1. So sorry to hear this and it is quite a shock, even for someone like me who grew to know her through your posts. Very sad and it hits home in many ways.

  5. Jerry I’m so sorry to hear this, for you and Andrzej and all her loved ones. We here have all gotten to feel we know them and their family via WEIT, and I almost feel like I’ve eaten at her table via your reports and photos. It’s a devastating loss.

  6. My goodness. I am so sorry Jerry for the sudden loss of Malgorzata. It was clear from your writing that she was like a mother and deep friend for you.

  7. Oh dear, what a terrible and very sudden turn of events. Huge condolences, Jerry. And to Andrzej.

  9. I’m so sorry for your loss, she sounded like quite an interesting and accomplished woman.

  13. So sorry for your loss, Andrzej and Jerry! What terrible news! We will miss Malgorzata and her inputs to your site very much.

  15. Very shocking for something like this to happen. One is tempted to say that at least she didn’t suffer, but that is probably of little consolation to her loved ones at a time like this. My condolences to all who knew her.

  16. Very sorry to hear this news. My condolences to all affected (which includes the community of readers here who have heard her comments almost daily for years)

  17. I am so so sorry, shocked and saddened to hear this news.
    Condolences to Andrzej and you Jerry.
    This is terrible news.

    1. I had the same thought: this is terrible for everyone who loved her, but if I could choose this is how I would die too, after 60 years of life with my wife, while working on something I care about. I hope that thought is some consolation for Jerry and others in her life.

  20. Sorry to hear this, shocking and confusing – condolences.

    I had thought of her pies just yesterday or the day before … cherry, I’m pretty sure … I was making lasagna at the time, I believe, and still have some of it.

    I will enjoy a piece for her.

    🥧

  21. So sorry for Andrzej’s and your loss. I lost my surrogate father last year. He was 85. After a day of activities around the house, he said to his wife, “This was a good day,” and then dropped dead.

  23. I felt I knew her through your descriptions of her wit, cooking, kindness, and intellect. The shock for Andrzej and their close friends nearby.

  25. So sorry to hear Jerry. Through you they felt like family to all of us.
    Condolences to you and to Andrzej.

  28. I am very sorry for this great loss. She seemed like a wonderful person. My condolences.

  29. No! Condolences to you and Andrzej and the entire extended children, boarders and animal family in Poland. She always provided thoughtful positively phrased answers to my questions regarding the view from the ground in Poland and set a beautiful farm table. We will surely miss you Malgorzata.

  30. I’m so saddened. I’m so very sorry for this shocking, sudden loss Andrzej and Jerry…Miss Hili…Szaron. Damn death. That thief. Rest in peace, Malgorzata. We will miss you. We already do.

  31. I am so very sorry, Jerry. I knew from your writing how much she meant to you.

  33. i’m so sorry for your loss. I too came to know her through WEIT, and followed her insightful comments with admiration and respect. I will miss this. Condolences to her family.

  38. So sorry, Jerry, to hear this terribly sad news. Malgorzata was like family to many of us here in WEIT world.

  40. Such sad and unexpected news. I will miss her frequent commentary about the goings-on in Hili’s mind, and her occasional takes on world events. Condolences to Andrzej and you, and to the rest of her family and friends.

  41. Very sorry to hear this Jerry. One could tell from all your mentions of her over the years how much she meant to you.

  42. Shocking news. Like many here, I felt I knew her; and I will certainly miss her. Your relationship was so much closer and deeper, and I grieve for your loss.

  43. Such melancholy news. I’m so sorry to read that you, Jerry, have lost your beloved friend and that Andrzej has lost his cherished life partner.

  45. And to go so suddenly, Andrzej had no time to prepare! He must be in shock. Also who will interpret Hili’s comments now that Malgorzata is gone?

  47. Jerry: Thank you for your sad, touching post. My condolences to you and all the family.

  49. My deepest condolences to you, Jerry. Małgorzata was an inspirational person, and I’m shocked to read of Her sudden death. I have a tremendous debt to Her for Her kindness, generosity, and wisdom. Although we never met in person, we did speak on the phone and even worked at the same institution, albeit online, for a while. She was very knowledgeable about the subjects She commented on here.
    I can’t imagine what Andrzej is going through right now…

  50. My deepest condolences, Jerry.

    Amazingly, a friend of mine also died in a similar manner – he was found slumped over his keyboard as he was working on a computer program. Just like Malgozata, he was here one minute and gone the next.

    How very sad.

  52. My condolences to everyone who cared for her. Her answers to my questions were always helpful, and thoughtful. From your posts Jerry, this will be particularly difficult for you and her family.

  53. Wow, I just opened my email and the Subject Line jumped out at me. I’m very sorry to hear of Malgorzata’s passing. Though what a great and full life she had (or so I gleaned from reading tidbits about her and Andrzej over the years). Either way, I know she will be sorely missed, and for this I am sad.

  54. So sorry to hear about the death of your friend Malgorzata. Thank you for sharing her intelligence and eloquence with us through the Hili dialogues. All of your readers will miss her too.

  56. Very sorry to hear this. What a terrible shock to her family as well as to you, Jerry.

  57. I am so sorry for the loss of your dear friend. Even though I didn’t know her, she had become part of my life through this website, and her death makes me sad.

  59. Oh, no! I am so very sorry for Andrzej, you and Hili. I am shocked at the suddenness of it all and very saddened by this loss.

  62. That’s horrible. She’d translated a few of my articles into Polish to my great happiness and we’d gone back and forth on email a bit last year, mainly about Israel and Poland.
    My deep condolences to Andrzej and Jerry and her family of course.

    D.A.
    NYC

  64. I am very saddened for the loss of Malgorzata to you and Andrzej and to all who knew and loved her. Her wisdom and engagement was appreciated by so many of us on your site.

  66. So sorry. Deepest sympathy to you, Andrzej and family. A huge loss to all of your readers.

  68. What horrible news. My deepest sympathies to Andrzej, friends & family, and to you Jerry.

    I’ve known her only through your articles and pictures here at WEIT since you first began to feature her, Andrzej and Hili, but I will miss her presence here.

  69. Sincere condolences to you both Andrzej and Jerry. What an unhappy surprise it was to open the email. I, along with so many others, will miss her well informed and dry-eyed comments.

  70. I am so sorry to hear of this. It was a real shock. I always valued her input into the current affairs.

    May you find comfort in the memories of her in happier times. Loosing her is a loss to all.

  71. I am very sad… I never met her, but I feel like I knew her close — from all the posts, quotes, and communications. My condolences to Andrzej. RIP, Malgorzata…

  72. Adding my small voice of sympathy and condolence. As others have indicated, your posts around your dear friends were a special element of this site.

  73. Like others said, I got to know her a little through you and WEIT. It is very shocking and sad even for me and I feel for you and Andrzej.

  74. I’m so sad to learn that. After so many years, you have all become very dear friends to me.

  75. Omg, what a shock. She will be missed so much here at WEIT. So sorry for your loss Andrzej. And for your loss too, Jerry. She meant so much to you.

    Thank you for posting these lovely pictures of Malgorzata. Feeling a bit heartbroken right now.

  77. I am truly sorry to hear of Malgorzata‘s death. I always not just enjoyed but deeply appreciated her thought and views. Condolences to you, Jerry, and to Andrzej for your loss.
    Tony R.

  79. Very sorry for your loss. Over the years we could see how close you were to Malgorzata and Andrzej. My heart goes out to you.

  80. Oh dear! 😰 I feel like I’ve lost a friend, even though we had never met.
    Take care, Andrzej.

  81. I’m so sorry for your loss Jerry and how dreadful for her partner. I hope you both have people to be with as you grieve. How is it possible that life can turn so fast and with no notice.

  87. I’m so sorry for the loss of your dear friend. My condolences to you and Andrzej, and all who loved her. Her presence will be missed by your readers.

  89. What a shock…. My heart breaks for Andrzej, you, Hili, and her other friends and family members.

  92. A terrible loss for all of us at WEIT. We miss her dearly and we won’t forget.

  93. She felt like a dear friend to many thousands of people whom she never had a chance to meet.
    We will miss her.

  94. Bad news indeed. So terribly sorry, though if it had to be, it was at least peaceful. She was a marvelous woman.

  96. Usually just a silent lurker here, but I’ll surface to offer condolences to Andrzej and to JC. Malgorzata was part of the heart of WEIT. Big adjustment/coping/grieving challenges ahead. May the memory of her spirit always inspire you.

  98. My condolences. I will remember her for graciously explaining facets of Jewish identity to me as an outsider that gave me a different perspective and at least a tiny bit of insight.

  99. A well lived life, and as merciful as death can be. Andrzej…there is nothing that can be said.

  100. As an atheist I can’t say thoughts and prayers, but my condolences to you, Jerry, and to Andrzej and Hili. May Malgorzata’s memory be a blessing.

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