Over eighty years ago a little girl named Stasha lived through, rather survived, one of the most horrific events in human history. From her survival of the Holocaust before the age of ten, the story of her life would evolve into a portrait of perseverance, resilience and love that would come to define the rest of her life. The story of Stasha Akers life is among one of the innumerable tales of those who survived the darkest days of the Second World War and of how a young girl reclaimed her dignity, reestablished her humanity and brought her innate sense of hope, light and joy to a new life in a new country. A girl from Poland would meet, marry and start a family with a young man from the southern Virginia countryside. They would relocate to the Ocean State and their live their lives in peace and happiness. It was a peace and happiness that only a survivor like Stasha Kujawski Akers could, even in her deepest moments, barely find the words to explain just how that healed her spirit, her heart, her very soul.
Stasha K. Akers, 89, of Manville died peacefully Tuesday March 3, 2026 at The Holiday in Manville. She was the loving wife of the late James Lee Akers. They were married on June 23, 1955 in Martinsville, Virginia.
Born in Krakow, Poland she was a daughter of the late Bronislaw and Victoria (Zendzianowska) Kujawski. Stasha lived her early years among her family in the Krakow area.
Their lives would change forever upon the outset of WWII. Due to the fact that her family hid and protected Jewish people from the Nazis, Stasha and her family were arrested and sent to the concentration camp. They were first brought to Dachau then to Auschwitz-Birkenau. As a little girl Stasha was subjected to horrific medical experiments at the hands of the Nazi Dr. Josef Mengele from which she received injuries she would contend with for the rest of her life. Miraculously, after the liberation of the concentration camps Stasha was reunited with her family. They then left Europe and arrived in the United States to start a new life. In order to pay for their passage Stasha and her family agreed to become indentured workers at Hookkas Farm in Virginia upon their arrival in America. Stasha and her family arrived in Martinsville, Virginia. Stasha completed her schooling and met and married Mr. Akers. They moved to Rhode Island in 1956 and lived in Manville for the rest of her life.
Stasha worked at Art Garment, Colby Glass, Royal Robes as well as several other mills in the Woonsocket area. Stasha was later employed at Woonsocket Health Center for over 20 years. She first served as a nurse’s aide then as a certified medical technician which involved more direct patient care including dispensing medications. Stasha had always dreamed of becoming a registered nurse and in preparation for her work in health care she attended the University of Rhode Island satellite campus in Providence.
Stasha was very talented at crocheting, knitting, sewing and embroidery.
Stasha loved the outdoors. Every summer season saw her bring her flower and vegetable garden to life with her proverbial “green thumb”. Stasha was also an adept honeybee keeper and did canning and jarring of honey and vegetables.
Stasha was also especially talented with arts and crafts. She created many beautiful decorations and flowers sharing them with many of the residents at Woonsocket Health Center. In her spare time Stasha enjoyed immersing herself in a good book, the challenge of puzzles, and the satisfaction of cooking and baking for her family. She also liked going on excursions shopping and visiting flea markets.
Stasha cherished every moment with her family, most especially with her granddaughter. She liked to sing her heart out to her favorite songs both from the native Poland of her childhood and newer tunes she learned in America.
Stasha will be remembered as a kind, caring and pleasant lady who saw the best in others and gave all she could to those in need of her love and support.
Stasha is survived by her daughter Patricia K.V. Shirley of Manville and her late husband David T. Shirley who passed away in June of 2002. She was the mother of the late James G. Akers (Chief, Manville Fire Dept. ret.) who passed away in June of 2024 and is survived by his wife, Stasha’s beloved daughter-in-law Susan Akers of Manville. She was the proud and loving grandmother of Amanda Akers and great-grandmother of Cecilia Rose Nobile, Juliet Ivy Nobile and Jeffrey John Nobile, III all of Manville. Stasha was the sister of the late Adam Kujawski and is survived by several nieces and nephews and their families.
Everyone is invited to gather to honor, remember and pray for Stasha at her funeral Saturday March 14th at 9:00 am from the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Holy Trinity Parish/OLQM Church, Park Ave. Woonsocket. Stasha will be laid to rest alongside her husband, son and parents in the family lot at St. James Cemetery in Manville. Visiting hours are Friday March 13th from 4:00-7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org.
www.menardfuneralhome.com