Barbara “ Basia” Irene Mundziakiewicz Duris was born on January 14, 1949 in Penley, Wales, to Polish Army 1st Lieutenant Mieczylaw and Nurse Stefania, both recipients of honor medals under the auspices of the British Army for their heroism at the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy. Her sister, Christine, was born in Bari, Italy, after the war.
Barbara ‘Basia’ Duris, Enjoyed Time Shared With Family and Friends
Barbara “ Basia” Irene Mundziakiewicz Duris was born on January 14, 1949 in Penley, Wales, to Polish Army 1st Lieutenant Mieczylaw and Nurse Stefania, both recipients of honor medals under the auspices of the British Army for their heroism at the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy. Her sister, Christine, was born in Bari, Italy, after the war.
The family emigrated to the United States aboard the Queen Mary in 1951 and resided in Newark, N.J., where Basia’s father, Mieczylaw, owned a Polish meat market, “Matt’s Meat Market.”
Basia attended Sacred Heart Grammar School, Saint Vincent Academy, and graduated from Vailsburg High School in 1967.
She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the College of Emporia in Kansas (1968-1972). Basia was an early childhood teacher after graduation.
Upon returning to New Jersey, her family moved to Westfield and she married her college sweetheart, Robert W. Duris of Garwood, in 1973. They lived in Westfield on Harrison Avenue, where her children, Stephanie and Stefan, were born.
They owned a General Contracting business, Environmental Improvements, as well as The Golden Age of Antiques, specializing in fine art.
She was employed in the corporate offices of Charlie Brown’s Restaurant Corporation in Mountainside and retired to Hutchinson Island, Florida, in 2011.
Basia enjoyed every minute living in paradise, collecting seashells with her sister, Christine; her beloved Rick; her son, Stefan; her daughter, Stephanie; and her grandchildren, Knightly, Brooke and Dale. Cheering on Knightly, Number One-ranked All-American, in all her Sporting Clays, Trap, and Skeet competitions was her favorite place to be on the weekends. Basia held a special place in her heart for her nieces and nephews: Jennifer, Jessica, Lacey, Jeffrey, Richie, Alexander and Michael. Upon retiring, Basia enjoyed being surrounded by the love of her faithful and loving friends, world traveling, fishing, collecting and dealing in art, music, and dancing.
She will be sadly missed, but her firecracker spirit and gentle soul will live in our hearts forever. God holds her now in his arms and peace is her covering. Barbara’s favorite flowers are orchids.
Revelations 21:4 …”and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
May Beautiful Basia Rest In Peace and Rise In Glory!
Visitation with the family was on Wednesday, July 24, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Dooley Colonial Home in Westfield. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated today, Thursday, July 25, at 11 a.m., at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 146 Irvine Turner Boulevard, Newark, with burial to follow at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield.
July 25, 2024
