BY TARA PETERSEN
Staff Writer
Anastazja Samfel ROOSEVELT — A woman from Poland who was here visiting her family was killed on July 10 while walking along Route 571.
State police said last week that Roosevelt resident Carl Johnson was traveling northbound on Route 571 around 11 a.m. when his 1998 Cadillac DeVille swerved off the road, striking 57-year-old Anastazja Samfel.
Samfel, who was walking northbound along the grassy area on Route 571, was pronounced dead at the scene.
State police said on July 16 that there is no pending criminal investigation.
According to Samfel’s daughter, Anna Fenerty, her mother had been in Roosevelt visiting the family since early March, and was simply out for a morning stroll when she was killed.
"She loved walking," Fenerty said. "She was staying with us for four months and was taking care of her grandchildren."
According to Fenerty, Samfel was arranging for her other grandson to come over from Poland to stay with his 6-year-old and 10-year-old cousins for the rest of the summer, and had planned to return with that grandson to her native Poland in August.
Fenerty said she was amazed at the support she’s received from Roosevelt residents, who had only just gotten to know her mother.
"All the children really liked her. She was so good to everybody," she stated.
The family has since issued a statement as a tribute to the woman they called Nina, Babcia and Mama, who was the wife of Jerzy; mother of Anna and Tomek; grandmother of Gabriel, Sebastian and Piotrus; and friend to many.
"However you were blessed to be graced by her presence, one thing holds true throughout all of her relationships," wrote Anna Fenerty and her husband, Bryan. "Anastazja did everything she could to make everyone’s life comfortable.
"Nina never had precious little time to think about herself," they continued. "The only worries in her life were how to bring happiness to others and to help in their growth, both physically and spiritually. Many people were touched by her kindness."
The Fenertys’ children — Samfel’s grandsons — also wanted to comment about their beloved grandmother.
"Babcia always played with me whenever I wanted," said 6-year-old Sebastian.
"It is not fair. Babcia was the nicest person I ever knew," said 10-year-old Gabriel.
"Children from all walks of life were drawn to our Babcia’s eternal youth," the couple added. "They all loved her wonderful personality. With a smile on her face, she shared everything she had with every child she could. Her love was endless, [and] her soul was too bright for her body to contain, so the Lord called her home to rest."