Denasiewicz Maria (Niemiec); Daughter: Proszowska Krystyna (Denasiewicz)

Denasiewicz, Maria Proszowska-Denasiewicz, Krystyna Felicia Schwam was born in late 1939 in the town of Przemysl, about two months after the outbreak of war. In 1942, when the ghetto was established, her parents managed to transfer her to the Aryan side of the city, where, originally, a Polish family had agreed to look after her, in return for all the Schwam’s money. Subsequently, however, her parents decided to send their daughter to Maria Denasiewicz, a poor widow, who agreed to look after Felicia for a fee. Although payment ceased after Felicia’s parents perished, Denasiewicz and her two daughters, despite their straitened circumstances, continued looking after Felicia whom they treated as one of the family, and showered with love and attention. The Denasiewiczes saw to it that Felicia was baptized so that Christian documents could be obtained for her more easily. Despite these precautions, neighbors informed on her to the Gestapo, who raided their apartment. It was only thanks to 15-year-old Krystyna, who hastily pushed the child into bed, covered her with a blanket, and lay next to her until the Gestapo left that Felicia’s life was saved. Schwam stayed with the Denasiewiczes until 1948, when representatives of “Youth Aliyah” sent her to Israel. In 1992, Schwam returned to Poland, and after tracing Krystyna’s whereabouts, went to visit her. On May 10, 1994, Yad Vashem recognized Maria Denasiewicz and her daughter, Krystyna Proszowska-Denasiewicz, as Righteous Among the Nations. File 6093