Olga Zofia Gadzala, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, educator, scientist, and mentor, passed away on August 22, 2026, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of family, learning, and lives changed through education.

She was born in Raclawice, Poland and grew up on a small farm in a world without running water or electricity, where she studied by the light of a lamp. From those humble beginnings, she possessed an extraordinary determination and love of learning. She became the first person in her family to attend a university, earning admission to Jagiellonian University in Kraków, one of Europe’s oldest and most distinguished universities. There, she graduated first in her class—an achievement that reflected the intelligence, discipline, and perseverance that would define her life.

She worked as the director of Epidemiology in Jaslow, Poland which earned her an invitation to work in the laboratory at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, an opportunity that opened a new chapter in her life. But her journey to America was never simply about building a life for herself. Through her determination and hard work, she was able to bring her entire family from Poland to the United States, giving them the opportunity to build new lives together. Family was at the heart of everything she did, and bringing those she loved to America was one of the accomplishments of which she was most proud.

Although science remained one of her greatest passions, she found an even greater calling in teaching. She became a beloved and highly respected science teacher at West Bloomfield High School, where her influence extended far beyond the classroom. She created a medical mentoring program that gave students the opportunity to explore careers in medicine and helped inspire generations of young people to pursue lives of service and achievement. Many of the medical professionals she mentored carried her encouragement and belief in them throughout their careers.

Yet for all of her accomplishments, her greatest pride and joy was her family. She was a devoted mother of two, grandmother of six, and great-grandmother of eight. Her family was at the center of her heart, and she cherished the generations that grew from her.

Her two great passions were science and her family—two passions that came together in the way she lived her life: always curious, always learning, always encouraging others, and always giving those she loved her support and belief.

From a small farm in Poland, reading by lamplight, she built a life of extraordinary achievement and lasting influence. She crossed an ocean, opened doors for her family, and then spent her life opening doors for countless others.

She will be remembered not only for what she accomplished, but for the people she inspired, the students whose lives she changed, the family she brought together, and the enduring legacy of knowledge, perseverance, and love that she leaves behind. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

A Funeral Mass for Olga will be held on Saturday, August 29th, at 11:00 a.m., with a Rosary recital beginning at 10:30 a.m., at the Shrine Chapel of Our Lady of Orchard Lake, 3535 Indian Trail, Orchard Lake.