Halina Bozena Kowalczyk

Halina Bozena Kowalczyk, 73, of New Freedom, PA, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 1, 2026, at UPMC York Memorial Hospital.

Born January 15, 1953, in Zielona Gora, Poland, Halina was the daughter of Josef and Janina (Markowska) Wojtowicz. She was the loving wife of Jerome Thomas Makowiecki, Jr., with whom she shared 34 years of marriage, and previously she was the wife of Marian Kowalczyk, with whom she shared 10 years of marriage until his death in March of 1982.

Halina was a surgical coordinator in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, a loyal employee for 43 years, until her retirement in 2021. She was very proud of her work at Hopkins; loved helping patients, even on a personal level - spending time with and sharing personal sentiments with them. In addition to her career, Halina was passionate about culinary arts and caring for animals, especially cats. She loved cooking and spent much of her time preparing wonderful, elaborate meals for her family. She also fostered and cared for many cats around her neighborhood and took pride in making donations to help other homeless animals locally as well.

Halina was humble and modest. A loving and attentive caregiver who never wanted to be the center of attention. She took joy in the simple things in life… A delicious meal made proudly from scratch, a daily visit from her feline friend, Lenny, quiet moments with her husband, Jerry. She did not place priority on material things, but instead the moments in life when she shared experiences with her family and closest loved ones.

In addition to her husband Jerry, Halina is survived by her son, Andrew Kowalczyk and his wife Linda, of Stewartstown, PA, as well as one grandson, Tyler Andrew Kowalczyk of Stewartstown, a niece, Sophie Willie of Saarbucken, Germany, and a first cousin who was, “like a sister to her”, Ewa Pigula of Amsbury Wiltshire, England. In addition to her parents and her first husband Marian, Halina was preceded in death by four siblings, Zofia Wojtowicz, Anna Wojtowicz, Krystyna Skoczylas, and Maria Wojtowicz.

A private family celebration of life will be held at Halina’s home.

In lieu of flowers, her family suggests memorial contributions in Halina’s honor be made to: The Animal Rescue, Inc., by mail to: 2 Heritage Farm Dr., New Freedom, PA 17349, or online at www.animalrescueinc.org, or to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, by mail to: 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306, or online at www.t2t.org.

Hartenstein Funeral & Cremation Care, Inc., has been entrusted with the arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.Hartensteincares.com.