Wanda Czarnecki Wieckowski, 92, teacher

Wanda Czarnecki Wieckowski, 92, a mathematics teacher in Philadelphia public schools for 35 years, died Monday, Aug. 8, at St. Joseph's Manor in Meadowbrook.

Mrs. Wieckowski began teaching in 1950 at Penn Treaty Junior High School in Kensington. After school, she helped out at her parent's grocery store around the corner and then traveled by bus, El, and train to cook dinner for her husband and two children in Wyncote.

She later taught at Germantown High School, Franklin Learning Center, and Austin Meehan Middle School before retiring in 1985.

"She was a gifted teacher who understood how to motivate students to learn and appreciate the wonders of mathematics," her son, Thomas, said.

A native of Reading, Mrs. Wieckowski earned a bachelor's degree from what is now Kutztown University. Until recently, her son said, she returned to Kutztown every spring to attend graduation ceremonies.

During World War II, she worked in a munitions factory in Frankford.

She and her husband, Philip, met at a Polish social club in Philadelphia and married in 1942. He taught at Philadelphia High School for Girls until his death in 1965.

Mrs. Wieckowski earned a master's degree in education from Temple University and taught math education courses at Temple and at Holy Family University.

A member of Immaculate Conception Church in Jenkintown since 1944, she served on the parish council and altar guild, and volunteered to teach enrichment classes in the parish school after she retired.

In addition to her son, Mrs. Wieckowski is survived by five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her daughter, Joan Zieja, died in 2010.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15, at McGoldrick Funeral Home, 507 West Ave., Jenkintown. A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 16, at Immaculate Conception Church, 606 West Ave. Jenkintown. Friends may call at the church starting at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham.

Donations may be made to the parish school.