Anna Cienciala Obituary

This lady, was a genuine, wholehearted person, of great sincerity, & honesty. She understood much;- and we shall never, ever, forget her sterling quality.

What an amazing and fine lady and teacher. I'm class of 1977 of the College of LA & S and wish I could remember the year she was my Polish Polish history professor but was grateful for her many insights, like how badly Indiana's Kosciusko county mispronounces the great Polish general's name as Ko-zee-ahs-koh instead of the proper Kos-choos-koh, and how important he was to General Washington in America's Revolutionary War. God's blessings.

I'm class of 1977 from the College of LA&S

I have known Anna only for a year when I taught Polish Literature at Kansas University although I knew her fascinating work on Polish history much earlier. But even such a short period of time when I got to know her was enough to admire not only Anna's knowledge and wisdom, but also her kindness and warmth. Cze Jej pamici!

Professor Cienciala was very helpful in the editing of my book about the Polish Solidarity movement--Be Not Afraid. I remember her with affection and gratitude.

with heartfelt sympathy to Roma and Anna's friends and sister. My mother and I experienced her kindness and care during water therapy. Her wonderful kindness and compassion remain in our hearts.

with care, Brenda and Sue

Roma, our deepest sympathy.

Your old neighbors,

Mike & Barbara Malone

Faculty, students, and other associates of the Russian and East European Institute of Indiana University mourn the passing of Professor Cienciala and extend sympathies to her friends and family.

Professor Cienciala's last email to me said, if there is an emergency, please contact my office in Kansas. It was sent in early December 2014. It was an unexpected death of a great scholar and a fine human being.

Anna M. Cienciala was an inspirational scholar and generous mentor. Her HIST 132, Modern East Central Europe, led me in the late 60's to Polish history and ultimately a doctorate. I did not go into teaching, but to government, diplomacy, and national security. In my 30-year career, overseas and in the US, I inevitably encountered Anna Cienciala's former students, themselves now in diplomacy or the military. Her intellectual influence -- objectivity, the search for the truth, clear thinking -- informs the work and the decisions made by these people today. This is part of her impressive legacy. Sincere condolences to Roma from our entire family.

I had not thought of Professor Cienciala for many years, but when I saw her obituary online today it brought back pleasant memories of Eastern European history classes I took from her back in the late 60's. She was a strict, but fair and accomplished teacher.

Professor Cienciala was a respected figure in her field and very kind to me when I was her doctoral student.

Anna was our neighbor on Steven Drive for several years, was so affable, direct and friendly. Even her standing as a world renowned historian didn't keep her from stopping for a chat and a kind interest in the little kids. Anna and Roma were wonderful neighbors.

My sympathy to Roma on her loss.

Nancy Colyer
Melissa McCauley
Catherine Colyer

The University of Kansas has lost an icon. Professor Cienciala was a friend and mentor to countless students during her years at the university. I am pleased that she directed this lost and wayward soul into the stacks at Watson, where I found the history she suggested. She will be missed greatly.

My most heartfelt condolences!!

Anna's dedication to her work and to Poland was inspirational. I have enjoyed knowing her greatly, and wish I had seen her lecture. Roma, take care, and may your journey through this loss be lightened by knowing that so many folks love and respected Anna.

For countless academics and intellectuals around the world, reports of Professor Cienciala's passing will be received with the deepest feelings akin to news that a great library burned to the ground. For countless friends and former students, word of Anna's passing will be received with grief akin to the passing of a most cherished mentor and relative. For me, it is all of the above.

Jim Loner

Hugs and prayers

Anna was unbelievably kind and helpful - we had many interesting, detailed discussions in which I learned much. I felt as if she had adopted me as a student, which was a great honor. She gave me a great gift -her time- something for which I will be forever grateful. Besides an accomplished and renowned historian, she was a kind and generous soul. May she rest in peace

When I took my first course from Professor Cienciala, I literally could not find Poland on a map. A few years later, I felt privileged to have sat in her classes and been invited to sip from the fascinating chalice that is Polish history.

I'm deeply saddened about this. I consulted Professor Cienciala on all historical aspects of my work. One paper about Jerzy Neyman, one of the most important contributors to Statistics, will be presented at the American Mathematical Society Meeting in San Antonio, Texas in two weeks. Professor Cienciala assisted me on the complicated historical background of Jerzy Neyman. It will be my honor and privilege to recognize Professor Cienciala in the mathematical community next month. I will miss Professor Anna Cienciala very much.

We are deeply sorry to hear about the death of Professor Cienciala. Nothing will be the same without her. With deepest sympathy from Poland. Irena, Bronek i Krzysiek.

Anna was a great scholar and inspiring colleague. I benefited greatly from her wide and deep knowledge and her generosity to share it.

It has been our great honor and privilege to know Professor Anna Cienciala, a true scholar and a remarkable woman.
We are very grateful for the history lessons which we had learned from her, and for her extraordinary contributions to Polish history. She left Poland but Poland never left her. She was a true inspiration for our daughter and for us.
She will be missed and always remembered. This is a big loss for the University of Kansas, the Lawrence Community,
and the entire Polish Community.

Bozenna, Tyrone and Dominique Duncan

Dear Roma: We are very saddened to learn about Anna passing so suddenly. We fondly remember her and you and the wonderful food and conversations at your home. With deepest sympathy, Gunda and Elaine.

Dr. Cienciala's death is a great loss for Polish history, Polish culture, and her colleagues and students around the world.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

This is sad news. Professor Cienciala was of great help to me when I was writing my book about the Polish Solidarity movement. She was a brilliant woman, and very gracious.

She will be missed by many of those who were able to work alongside of her and study with her.

Rest in peace we will never forget you!
You will be in our hearts forever.
Love to Roma who will continue to be part of our family.

My heart goes out to you for your deep loss you must be feeling for your beloved Anna . How sad to lose someone so loved and so needed. May you find comfort in prayer and in one another. (Jeremiah 29:12,13)

Great teacher. I had her for several classes in Slavic Studies at KU. There were times when she was teaching about Catherine the Great that I thought she was Catherine the Great

s

Rest in peace, Anna. I enjoyed our neighborly chats in the driveway and so appreciated how you asked after my family and our pets on our encounters. Thanks for the kindness you showed to me and for the many contributions you made to the understanding of Eastern European history.