Hanna Gładki. (Courtesy photo)
Nasza cudowna królowa świata zmarła. Hanna Wojtanowska Gładki died peacefully Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at her home in Ayer. She was 92 years old. Hanna, known to her friends and family members as Aka, was born Dec. 30, 1933, in Kraków, Poland. She graduated with a doctoral degree in hydraulic engineering from University of Agriculture in Kraków where she met her beloved husband, Józef Gładki. Widowed in 1982, Hanna decided to start a new life in the United States along with her daughter Ania Gładki Ekiert, son-in-law George Ekiert, and grandchildren Joe Ekiert and Lulu Ekiert.
Hanna’s academic reputation in Europe led her to find a job with Flygt in Stamford, Connecticut, mastering chemical engineering and the English language with determination and great professional achievement. When she retired, the Polytechnical School of Kraków invited her to head up their department of engineering while they searched for a permanent replacement.
Hanna always believed in possibilities and pursuing your wildest dreams with good judgment, strong character, and joy for the delicious things that life has to offer. In her later years she connected with the Ayer community, exploring the best local espresso at the Harvard General Store and Acton Coffeehouse as well as places of prayer like St. Nicolas Parish in Ayer and Harvard’s St. Theresa Catholic Church.
Hanna generously gave to charities and her loved ones, she enjoyed flying on vacuum cleaners, visiting the mountains of Zakopane, teasing young people like her nephew, Pek, attending the theater, supporting the arts, and inspiring everyone she knew to fight for what they want in life.
She is survived by her daughter, Ania; son-in-law George; her nephew Pek, his wife Basia and their daughters Klara and Ada; her nephew Wojtek, his wife Miłka and their children; her granddaughter Lulu, grandson Joe, his wife Rachel, and her great-granddaughters Penelope and Madeline.