Natalie Nowicki

Natalie was born in Zgierz, Poland on September 30, 1930. Her parents were Martha Kiskowski of Fort Wayne, Indiana and Ignacy Swiderski of Poland. Martha was a US Citizen who moved to Poland with her parents when she was 18. Natalie’s father was a controller for a company that made woolen materials and a co-owner of a grocery wholesale business.Natalie had a sister named Alicia who was four years older. They lived on a country estate that was later confiscated by the Germans and made into a health resort. They also had a summer home on a self-sustaining country farm that had many animals – cows, horses, pigs, ducks, geese.

With the onset of World War II in Poland on September 30, 1939, her family’s entire world changed. Natalie’s family was arrested multiple times by the Nazi regime and the gestapo because her father was a prominent business leader where they lived. Ignacy and 50 other leaders from the town were sent to Dauchau and tortured. Not many men survived. Natalie, her sister and mother registered with the German authorities because Martha was an American citizen. They were sent to a camp in Liebenau, Germany on the border of Swizerland. They spent 7 weeks traveling there by prison cars that were attached to rail cars. They were held at 8 prison camps along the way. After being imprisoned for 6 months, the transport they were to be on was cancelled. Natalie, her mother and her sister were released home to Zgierz to await evacuation to the United States. They would be exchanged for German families who would return to Germany. They shared one suitcase and lived in terrible conditions. The extermination of Jews and gentiles in burning stoves in the various camps was unbelievable to them.

Ignacy and Martha made the painful decision to leave Ignacy in Poland as he did not have an American passport. Martha, Alicia and Natalie would flee to the United States on Martha’s passport. They traveled to Liebenau, then Switzerland, and finally to Marseilles, France. Leaving France on January 22, 1945, they sailed across the Atlantic on the “Gripsholm.” They arrived in Jersey City, USA on February 24, 1945. They relocated to South Bend, Indiana as Martha’s brother lived there. Unfortunately, Natalie’s Father, ill with heart trouble and cancer, was too ill to join his family in the United States. Only Ignacy and one other man out of the original 50 men from the town were released from Dauchau. Ignacy passed in April of 1946.

Natalie married David Toth in South Bend and raised daughters Patti and Karen. After moving to Colorado, Natalie had a very successful career as Director of Patient Advocacy and Patient Representatives at Swedish Medical Center. While working with Swedish Medical Center Administration, the Colorado State Legislature, and the Colorado Department of Health she was instrumental in implementing statewide patient advocacy programs enabling patients to have a voice and participate in their healthcare in 1975. She retired in 1995.

Natalie and David eventually divorced and in 1992 Natalie married Edward Nowicki. Edward and Natalie remained happily married until her passing in 2025. She is survived by her husband Edward, her daughters Patti Kurtz and Karen Repine M.D., her son- in-law John Repine M.D., 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Natalie will be remembered by her kind nature, ability to be friends with anyone she met, charisma and larger-than-life personality. She was very smart and leader in her profession. Her love of life, love of family, and ability to always have a smile will be missed. Natalie had an amazing strength, unusual stamina, an insightful perspective, and unparalleled determination which was certainly influenced by her extremely difficult childhood. Natalie will be greatly missed by her family and many others. We knew and loved Natalie as “Nanny.”

In honor of Natalie, please make a donation to your favorite charity.