Hedwig Biessman

Hedy, the daughter of Alexandra and William Zurkowski, was born in Losowo, Poland on September 28, 1921. Her birth name, Jadwiga, was translated to Hedwig when she and her family arrived in the United States when she was 5 years old. Her birth date was also changed, it became October 1, 1921 but her Mother said that was incorrect and she should know! Hedy was one of eight children raised in Stamford, Connecticut.

She married John Joseph Biessman in 1942 and had 5 children: Joan, Jack, Diane, Bill, and Loretta who passed away as an infant.

The family moved from Stamford to Sherburne now Killington, Vermont and built a ski lodge on route 4, Turn of River Lodge. Hedy and John ran the ski lodge with pride working long hours with the assistance of their children. Hedy and John were involved in the community and made many friends who they would entertain from time to time at the lodge.

As the children grew up and moved on with their lives, Hedy and John built another business and home in Sherburne and sold the ski lodge. They rented half of the upstairs to a ski club who returned year after year. After John's passing, Hedy continued the development of the lower floor of the building to house an apartment and medical office.

In 1987, Hedy moved to Aurora/Denver, Colorado to be near her daughter, Diane and her family. Hedy was very involved with her grandchildren; volunteering at their elementary school as a teacher's aide, working with children who needed extra help with reading, math, and writing. The children loved to see her walk into the classroom. Her grandchildren spent many afternoons with their beloved grandmother swimming, going to the park, and reading.

Hedy enjoyed traveling and among her travels were a trip to Spain and a trip back to her birthplace in Poland with her granddaughter, Corinne. They visited the house where Hedy was born and the church with the only record of her birth. They traveled throughout Europe with a Eurail Pass.

Hedy was well loved by friends wherever she lived. Her enthusiasm, heart, smile, and genuine interest in other people meant that she was a stranger to few and a friend to many. Her positive influence will be cherished by friends and family for years to come. Her children and grandchildren are all better people because of Hedy's love and encouragement.

Hedy will be missed by her sister Irene Interlandi; children Joan Biessman, Jack Biessman, Diane Long and Bill Biessman; her grandchildren Corinne and Christopher Cavolick, Jared and Caitlin West, as well as 3 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to:

The Denver Hospice
Lowry Inpatient Donation
501 S. Cherry Street #700
Denver, CO 80246-1328

The family invites you to share your own memories and thoughts about Hedy in the online guestbook of this site.

There will be a celebration of Hedy's life for family and friends in Killington, Vermont in June of this year.