This page has been started as a tribute to Grazyna "Giga" Maria Osmolska, for those who wish to pay their respects and to help support her family. Giga was an always loving mother and generous soul to every person she met.

 

All funds will be used to help with the private funeral costs and to support my Dad [Jerzy]. This is an unexpected loss and financial shock to our family, but we are trying to contribute the best we can. We're having to cut into the money we use for living expenses, and earlier this year we had already experienced the loss of my brother-in-law's Mum. Your help in this situation is paramount.

 

It was on a Sunday, the 29th of August that she suffered a stroke and was sent to Colchester Hospital. She had been recovering for six days before a set of complications proved too much for her heart to handle. At 71 years young, she passed away in her sleep on the 11th of September at 5:46 AM. My Mum and Dad have been married for 51 years, she was his rock and we are all devastated to lose her. The cause of death was Septicemia, Pneumonia, Hemorrhagic Transformation in Ischemic Stroke, and Atrial Fibrillation.

I'm flying out from the US on Tuesday to spend the next two weeks with my Dad, to bring him gifts, keep him company, cook for him, and to do anything I can to make his days easier.

 

Mum was always about making sure we were well fed, hydrated, and warm. Whenever we spoke to her, she always gave advice to survive the elements, and asked the simple questions that mattered the most, "Are you eating well?", "If it's cold outside, make sure you wrap up". She dressed us in the warmest coats, shirts and trousers during Winter.

How Jerzy and Giga first met

The year is 1969. My Mum and Dad were first penpals, writing to each other whilst living countries apart. Jerzy was in Cardiff, Wales with his Mum and Dad [Janina and Wladyslaw] and Giga was in Warsaw, Poland with her parents. Originally, they were put in touch by Giga's aunt, who told Wladyslaw of a girl in Poland that might be a good match for his son.


Giga used to write how she dreamt of England, Carnaby Street and all the other famous areas of London. She would also write about favourite musicians and bands, so Jerzy would send vinyls for her to listen to. She did not write in English, so this was a valuable lesson for Jerzy to brush up on his Polish. After spending a year writing to each other, Jerzy eventually asked Giga to visit. She had a boyfriend at the time, and told him "I'm going to leave for London, and I don't think I'm ever going to come back".

Wladyslaw arranged the trip for Giga to visit. Jerzy then found a job in London working for a book publisher, and subsequently moved from Cardiff, into a small flat in Kilburn.

On the day that Giga was set to arrive at London Liverpool St, Jerzy travelled with Janina to the train station. He had to recognise her from one photo she had sent him, dressed as a Japanese Geisha girl. They spent time talking and getting to know each other, and then Janina and Giga went back to Cardiff, whilst Jerzy had to travel back to Kilburn. He spent every day calling her, and also the next few weekends visiting Giga in Cardiff. Whilst spending time together, Giga helped Jerzy to speak Polish, and Jerzy helped Giga to speak English. Wladyslaw also decided to help by signing Giga up to a course to quickly improve both her English reading and writing skills.

Giga and Jerzy's relationship blossomed. They married the same year.

Eventually Giga moved into the flat in Kilburn where Jerzy was renting, but it was too small. They decided to look for a bigger place to settle in order to start a family. Giga's firstborn was a girl in 1970, and then a boy in 1972. I was born in 1983, 11 years later after my siblings. At this time, we were living in Ilford, Essex, where we stayed throughout the entirety of our school life.

A meeting with a Palmist

Before Giga had even known about Jerzy, she visited a palm-reader in Poland with her boyfriend at the time. The palmist said that she would be living abroad. She also said that she would marry someone else and have three children. It was from that point onward, Mum's predicted future was destined to come true.


Mum was always supportive

Growing up I felt like nothing could harm me. You could almost consider it over-protective, but I would not judge a single decision or wish for a different memory. She supported my every need, and allowed me to discover music, art, video games and computers. She made the best after school lunches. She drove me to school. She tucked me in at night, and checked on me every time I called for her.

Whenever I retreated to my room to write music, she would frequently leave her kitchen door open and listen to my writing process. After constructing a basic idea, I would go downstairs and play to her. I loved listening to her advice. Her approval meant everything to me.

Looking through the photos, there are so many wonderful memories that I wish I had pictures to share, like the times she would make the most incredible borscht, and instead of reminding me to eat it, she would very patiently sit and feed it to me so I could continue playing my favourite video game on the C64 or Amiga. Enjoyment was paramount. I realise her dedication and it was incredible, unwavering and the greatest gift of all.

Mum truly cared for others, and always tried her best to maintain integrity. As a child, your focus is mostly on the self, and it is easy to take the comforts of a parent for granted. Trudging through the mud of adulthood was like a slow waking experience. Life evolves into a complex balance, and a person's innocence can be inhibited by the struggle to stay true, loving, trusting and stable.

Almost everything I do, I do because my Mum taught me the best way to be. I'm still learning from her wisdom every day.

 

We are left with beautiful memories, and would like to ensure that she has a beautiful send off.

 

Stay close to your loved ones, be kind, and please look after them.

https://youtu.be/Fz41XhbeGKw

 

Thank you all very much for your support.

 

Pawel.