In Memory of Wanda Senko (1934-2025)
The Kosciuszko Foundation mourns the passing of Wanda Senko—a lifelong champion of Polish culture, a devoted Trustee, and a cherished friend of the Foundation.
Wanda Senko leaves behind a remarkable legacy of service, leadership, and cultural stewardship. Through her decades of dedicated work on the Board of Trustees, she strengthened the Foundation’s mission, inspired new generations, uplifted countless individuals, and ensured the preservation and promotion of Poland’s rich cultural heritage.
May she rest in peace, remembered always with love, gratitude, and profound respect.
The family has shared the following details regarding the wake and burial:
Wake:
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 5-8 PM
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 4-8 PM
At Hempstead Funeral Home
89 Peninsula Blvd
Hempstead
516-481-7460
Burial Mass:
Thursday, Sept. 11, 12 Noon
St. Ladislaus Church
Next to Funeral Home
Burial:
Holy Rood Cemetery, Westbury
Born into a legacy of cultural advocacy, Wanda was the daughter of Stanislaus and Anna Pawlik, founders of the Polish American Press—the first Polish printing establishment in New York City. From an early age, she was immersed in an environment that nurtured intellectual exchange and artistic expression. This foundation shaped her lifelong devotion to cultural preservation and her leadership within the Polish-American community.
For decades, Wanda played a vital role in the Kosciuszko Foundation, where she served as a Trustee since 1986. She held leadership roles including Vice Chairwoman of the Board and Chairwoman of several key Committees. Her tireless work helped expand the Foundation’s national presence and nurtured new generations of leaders. Wanda’s contributions included chairing the Debutante Ball and Debutante Council, co-founding the Pro-Arte League, and leading the National Advisory Council. She also championed major art restoration projects and fostered collaborations with institutions such as Hofstra University, WQXR, and the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Her advocacy extended far beyond the Foundation. Wanda was instrumental in the development of Polish-language radio programming on Radio Free Europe and WHRU, supported displaced Polish immigrants, and co-founded the Polish Gift of Life and the Polish Supplementary Schools of Long Island. She served on the boards of organizations including the Polish Children’s Heartline and the Polish National Alliance of Brooklyn. Internationally, she contributed as a UN and court interpreter and as a consultant for global cultural initiatives.
Equally passionate about the arts, Wanda served as Vice President of the National Grand Opera and as a Trustee of United Cerebral Palsy. A classically trained pianist, she performed with the NYC Ballet Corps and modeled for fashion houses such as Schiaparelli and Vogue. Her intellectual curiosity led her to earn degrees in biology, public administration, gerontology, and mortuary science, later practicing as a licensed funeral director.
Wanda’s extraordinary life was recognized with numerous awards and distinctions, honoring her leadership, philanthropy, and advocacy. Her example has inspired four generations of her family, who continue her legacy of service through the Kosciuszko Foundation and beyond.
