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. This is shocking and saddening news even to me. My condolences to you, Jerry, and to Andrzej.

  2. This is so deeply sad. My condolences to Andrzej and Jerry. I will miss Malgorzata’s wit and wisdom in these pages. My heart aches at this news.

  3. I feel so sad for you, Jerry. Please accept my condolences. Malgorzata’s last entry seems strangely apposite “I don’t know. She is just a cat.”

  5. I am so sorry to hear this news, Jerry. My condolences to Andrzej and Hili as well as to you.

  6. I have never posted on your site, but felt I had to say how sorry I am for your loss. It is especially awful when it is sudden and unexpected.

  11. Your site has made her as much a part of my family as yours and has brought tears to my eyes.

  12. I am very sorry for your loss, Jerry. And for all of us who follow this site, one of the first things I look to read each day. She was clearly a remarkable woman, and I loved hearing about your visits, a bit envious of those meals you partook, especially the cherry pies, my favorite. May her memory be a blessing.

  13. I’m so sorry jerry, what a terrible loss for you and Andrzej.
    I hope you can grieve together someday.

  14. I started reading this website in 2009. The h/t Malgorzata and Hili posts have been a steady – witty – cherished part of my life since you started writing about her and Andrzej. I’ve looked forward to your trips to Poland not quite as much as you, but nearly.

    Thank you for sharing her with us, your readers. I wish there were words to soothe the grief that comes from losing such a pillar in life. Her commentary – wisdom – friendship – baking skills extraordinaire are captured here in your writings and photos. I also remember fondly Grania and her contributions to your (and your readers’) lives. Jerry, you keep good company.

    Sending heartfelt sympathies to you, Andrzej, and Hili.

  15. My condolences. Quite a shock to hear that someone who has been a small part of my life for so long is now gone.

  18. My sympathies on the loss of a dear friend and to her family and other loved ones. Appears she died without any prolonged pain or suffering and lived a good long life. About the best any of us could hope for whenever we exit life. My mother went through quite a bit of pain during the last month before she died, and I was with her during her last moments.

  20. Every such loss is difficult but with Malgorzada’s passing you lost someone in the foundation of your life. A devastating loss. I’m so sorry.

  22. I sit here and mourn a woman who added to my knowledge. i can’t express my sorrow.

  26. RIP! My condolences to the family, friends and acquaintances. 🙁

    As sad as the occasion may be, I hope to pass away in a similar way in many years’ time: While doing something I loved and not confined to bed in a nursing home/hospital due to illness and infirmity.

  29. (I missed this yesterday.)
    I am so terribly sorry. Besides being a fixture here, she was always good at answering the very occasional question that I had for her, too. I will greatly miss her keen insights on Israel.

  32. Very sad news. My condolences to you, Jerry, to Andrzej, Hili and the family.

  33. I thank everyone for their kind comments and was pleased to see that so many people considered Malgorzata as an integral part of this website, which she was. I talked to her every day for advice and education.

    You should also know that, on his own, Andrzej found this post and has read the comments, too.

    Thanks again for your words of grief and consolation.

    —Jerry

  35. Condolences to the entire “Hili family,” Professor Coyne, and his readership here that linked us to their posts., which were a comforting staple of the WEIT website.

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