Obituary of Erika B. Szemlewski

PRESTON HOLLOW – Erika B. Szemlewski, 92, passed away peacefully at home on Monday June 18, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on April 9, 1926 in the Czech Republic to the late Max and Maria Tona Ebert. She lived in Germany until 1956, when she then moved to the USA with her husband, the late Ernest Kubica. She lived on Long Island, then in Rockland County, and finally settled in Preston Hollow in 1984. Erika was a teacher in Germany, and then became a bookkeeper for Nyack Nissan in the U.S. She and her second husband, the late Frank Szemlewski, were proudly made U.S. Citizens when they were in their 80's. They had enjoyed taking day trips and going dancing at the German Club in Round Top. Erika was an avid gardener and loved flowers. She enjoyed taking long walks and telling stories, having lived through WWII and survived cancer. She had an incredible sense of humor and was the life of the party. She truly enjoyed life. Erika is survived by her daughter, Maria (Walter "Bud") Wood; her grandchildren, Elizabeth (Allen) Holloway and Robert Richter; and her great-grandchildren, Kevin McCarthy, Jr., and Rosemary Doering. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the ASPCA, 424 E. 92nd St., New York, NY 10128-6804, in memory of Erika's love for animals or to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave. Dallas, TX 75231. Condolences can be posted at ajcunninghamfh.com.