Wanda J. Samiec, known to those who loved her dearly as Mom and Busia, joined our dad and her family on the other side on November 20, 2025.  Wanda was the youngest of eight children born to Stephen and Alexandria Nowakowski, Polish immigrants who arrived with little but departed this life leaving a legacy of family, faith, and hard work behind.  One of Wanda’s earliest memories was selling their home-grown strawberries door-to-door with her father in a neighboring community.  She grew up in the Reynolds Corners area and graduated from the newly built Rogers High School.  During her high school years, she met her husband, William Samiec, while participating in CYO activities at Little Flower Catholic Church, their home parish for over 60 years.  They married on August 8, 1959 and shortly thereafter, started their family, moving to various Air Force bases in New York, Texas, and North Dakota until they decided to return to Toledo to settle down near family.   
Wanda and Bill bought their first home in Reynolds Corners on Brandel Circle and built a life with their family of five children.  Summers and fall were filled with camping weekends and vacations that started with the traditional Spaghettios quick-fix meal and ended with memories still fresh in our minds to this day.  She was a crafter before crafting became the “in” thing.  Over the years, she spent countless hours doing ceramics (those Christmas trees and holiday pieces are cherished decorations), and crocheting and knitting afghans, potholders and washcloths for family and friends.  In later years, she crafted and donated hundreds of hats and scarves to those in need.  Wanda grew perennial gardens into a sight to behold with the help of Bill and her children. For their 25th anniversary, Wanda and Bill made their way to Europe followed by a second visit a few years later.  In 2012, they picked up and moved out to Swanton where they resided together until Bill passed away in 2016.  
 Wanda was the traditional stay-at-home mom, providing a solid foundation for her family.  She fostered a love and dedication to her past, passing on the Polish traditions of placzek and pierogi making to her children and grandchildren.  And she passed on that same dedication to the future, instilling a love for all things family in her kids.  Her favorite Christmas tradition was the raucous Bingo games played to the delight of all, both adults and the little ones.  Ironically, Bingo became her lifeline and greatest joy during her stay at Elizabeth Scott.  
 Wanda leaves behind her children Chris (Mark) Thornton, Dan (Tammy) Samiec, Lyn (Roger) Tucholski, Michelle (Patrick) Wolff and Keri Samiec. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Richard Samiec as well as her sister-in-law Kathy Nowakowski. She was blessed with fourteen grandchildren, and she absolutely loved her littles, her eighteen great grandchildren.

Wanda’s family would like to thank the Elizabeth Scott staff and the Hospice of Northwest Ohio nurses for the special care they gave our mom during her final months, weeks, and days.  Their passion and commitment to their jobs is truly a gift to the families of loved ones in their care.  Final arrangements were handled by Wisnewski & Wick Funeral Home and a private Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.