Ann J. Kaminski

Ann J. Kaminski, 93, of Charleston, South Carolina, devoted wife of the late Alexander "Alec" Kaminski entered into eternal rest Friday, December 1, 2017. Her funeral service will be held Saturday, December 16, 2017 in the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel, 1494 Mathis Ferry Road, at 3:00 pm. Interment will be private. The family will receive friends at the funeral chapel from 2:00 pm until time of the service.

Ann was born Countess Hanna Jozefa Janina Orlowska on March 20, 1924 in Warsaw, Poland, daughter of the late Count Gustaw Lubicz-Orlowski and Countess Maria Zycka Lubicz-Orlowska. As an only child, she enjoyed life at the family mansion in Sluzewo, exploring the grounds of the English garden and horseback riding around the lake on the estate, attending the town's Catholic Church, studying with private tutors and playing with the children of their loyal servants. In 1939 Hitler invaded Poland and, as the targeting of Polish intelligentsia was a threat, Ann and her parents were forced to flee the estate and relocate to Warsaw to live with family. Their life of luxury at that point was replaced with survival.

In 1941 Ann was given the opportunity to serve her country as part of the Polish resistance in the very secretive Parasol Unit. Ann would later receive Poland's highest recognition for heroism and courage, the Virtuti Militari, for her service to the unit. She served as a courier for the resistance throughout World War II, and was injured multiple times in the bombing and fighting that surrounded her in Warsaw. While her life was spared, she eventually became a prisoner of war of the Germans, and survived life in a POW camp where conditions were harsh, until the camp was freed in the spring of 1945. She then met a handsome Polish officer named Alec in a chance meeting at an officer's party. By this time Ann's mother, father and aunt had all died in concentration camps, and her family's mansion and estate were destroyed. At the young age of just 21, she had fought hard for her country, and her resilient spirit was evident throughout her many battles, injuries and adventures.

The couple married on July 13, 1946, the beginning of a love story that spanned more than 70 years. They moved to London where Alec attended school, and later to Canada and the United States where he worked as an engineer. Ann was a stay-at-home mom for their two children, Christopher and Wendy.

Ann was a life-long devout Catholic who devoted many volunteer hours to Meals on Wheels. She was very interested in politics and was extremely proud of becoming a citizen of the United States of America. She was also a Master Bridge player, and enjoyed Duplicate Bridge tournaments with her husband over the years. But her favorite activity was spending time with her children and grandchildren. Ann's spirit and presence touched everyone who had the privilege of meeting her.

Ann is survived by her son, Christopher A. Kaminski (Deborah); daughter, Wendy K. Gibson (C. Allen Gibson, Jr.); five grandchildren: Carolyn S. Kaminski, Megan M. Kaminski, Walker A. Gibson (Kristin), Andrew P. Gibson (Kelly), and Gordon L. Gibson; and three great-grandchildren: Grace E. Gibson, Henry W. Gibson and Thomas A. Gibson.

We wish to extend a special thanks to the staff of The Life Care Center of Charleston and Palladium Hospice for their exceptional care.

In lieu of flowers, we welcome you to make contributions to The Life Care Center of Charleston's Employee Christmas Fund, 2600 Elms Plantation Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29406 or Christ Our King Catholic Church, 1149 Russell Drive, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464.