100-Year-Old Holocaust Survivor living in Montana Granted Wish to Reunite with Sister One Last Time

Helena, Mont., Nov. 19, 2024 – In a heartwarming and emotional reunion, 100-year-old Holocaust survivor Helena Stefaniak was granted her greatest wish: to reunite with her sister Barbara one last time. The sisters, who survived the horrors of Nazi Germany’s occupation of Poland during World War II, were reunited last summer through the efforts of Wish of a Lifetime, a charitable affiliate of AARP dedicated to fulfilling the dreams of older Americans.

Source: Wish of a Lifetime from AARP

Helena and Barbara, born in Warsaw, Poland, enjoyed a beautiful life until the Nazis invaded in 1939. After their mother’s death when they were young, the two Catholic girls were sent to an orphanage run by nuns in Warsaw, the Polish capital. The girls were treated well and were happy. They looked forward to weekly visits from their father.

Helena’s youth was tragically interrupted by the German Nazi occupation, forcing her to continue her education in a clandestine homeschool setting. In 1944, she was abducted from the streets of Warsaw and sent to a German forced labor camp, followed shortly by Barbara.

Despite the brutal conditions, they survived and spent years searching for each other after the war, finally reuniting in 1947 in the most joyous moment of their lives.

Helena and Barbara eventually moved to the United States, where they built new lives. Helena settled in Connecticut, found love with John Stefaniak and together they raised a child. Later, they moved to Montana. Meanwhile, Barbara made her home in New Jersey.

Photography by Dina Averuk Photography; source: Wish of a Lifetime from AARP

The reunion in Newark last August marks the first time in years that the sisters have seen each other in person. They speak daily by phone, nurturing a connection that surpasses geographical boundaries.

Helena’s declining health made travel difficult, but with the aid of Wish of a Lifetime, she was able to make the journey to see her sister one last time.

The sisters shared their memories of growing up during the Nazi occupation, recalling the oppression, hunger, and persecution they faced. They emphasized the importance of remembering the atrocities committed during the Holocaust, which claimed the lives of 6 million Jews and millions of non-Jews, including Polish prisoners of war and others deemed enemies of the Nazi regime.

Photography by Dina Averuk Photography; source: Wish of a Lifetime from AARP

This reunion, made possible by Wish of a Lifetime, is a testament to the enduring strength of family bonds and the resilience of the human spirit.

Founded by former Olympic skier Jeremy Bloom in 2008, Wish of a Lifetime, a charitable affiliate of AARP, has granted over 2,700 wishes nationwide, averaging 300 per year.

The organization believes that everyone should be able to age with hope and joy, empowering wish recipients to fulfill their hopes while reconnecting with the people and passions that matter most to them.

To find out more about Wish of a Lifetime, visit: https://wishofalifetime.org/