Lillian “Ciolkosz” Gadzala

Lillian Gadzala Bio 

Lillian was born Ladislava (lah-dee-slah-vah) Catherine Ciolkosz (chole-kuz) on August 27, 1922, to Polish immigrant parents Joseph Ciolkosz and Antoinette Swider (svee-dear), in Chicago, IL. The family moved to Winsted, CN, where she was raised. In elementary school the nuns were trying to discern the proper first names from the children’s nicknames. She was known a “Lottie”, the shortened form of Ladislava. They determined that Lottie must be the nickname for Lillian. From then on, she was known as Lillian. She graduated from The Gilbert School ’40. 

After high school Lillian went to nursing school, then was a general duty nurse at St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, CN, 

In March 1945 Lillian joined the US Army, attending Army Nurses Basic Training at Fort Devens, MA, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. In September she transferred to US Army General Hospital, Camp Edwards, MA, then to Walter Reed General Hospital, Wash., D.C. As a nurse she cared for many amputees returning from the European Theater. She was honorably discharged June 1946, and authorized to wear the American Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal. 

After World War II, she took a job with an oil company in Venezuela, working as a clinical nurse. Lillian was always an independent and inquisitive woman. She was so often ahead of her time for women, engaging in activities that were not usually open to women in the 50’s & 60’s. She returned to Connecticut when her father, Joseph, passed. 

She met John Gadzala, through relatives in Chicago. They were married August 16,1952. She and John started their family in 1953. They had three children; Thomas, Joan and Virgina. 

Throughout her life she continued her practice as a general duty and private nurse. Lillian, also known as Lil, enjoyed swimming, bowling, playing the piano, and quilting.   Lil loved to document her family’s lives and travels through her 8mm Bell and Howell camera, producing many hours of entertaining and memorable home movies.   

Expanding her education was always a priority for Lil. She frequently attended classes in history and public speaking at LSU New Orleans, and the Origins of Religions at Bryn Mawr College, PA.   Additionally, she taught 3rd grade at Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School in Slidell, LA. 

In 1989, Lil became a grandmother for the first time with the birth of Christina Gadzala. She would later welcome two more grandchildren, John Gadzala, and Christopher Carano. She had an extensive collection of photographs of her grandchildren and was very involved in their lives. 

As the daughter of immigrants, she recognized the importance of education and instilled this concept in her children.   She was very proud that all three of her children have advanced college degrees. She also was intimately involved with her three grandchildren. Lil was a devout Catholic who attended mass regularly. Even into her senior years, she was very active and had a strong work ethic. Lillian’s values live on through her children and beloved grandchildren.