Eleanor Karwowski (Mielniczuk) nee Stepnowski 88, of Bayonne, New Jersey passed away unexpectedly on October 9, 2025, surrounded by her family, who adored her.
Eleanor was known for her spunky personality and tell-it-like-it-is attitude. She never sugar-coated a thing - and that was part of what made her so loved. Her honesty came from the heart, she loved to laugh, and her loyalty to family and friends never wavered.
Born and raised in Bayonne, Eleanor was a proud graduate of Bayonne High School and a part of the city's history as a member of its first women's softball team. She went on to work at Maidenform from graduation to retirement, where she served as a key punch and later a computer operator. Fierce, funny, and full of life, she carried that same spirit throughout everything she did.
Bowling was the heart of Eleanor's world. Known affectionately as "Bowling Babci," she spent countless years at Hudson Lanes, where she built lifelong friendships and became a true fixture of the Bayonne bowling community. Her love for the game never faded.
Eleanor also enjoyed camping, fishing, and boating, finding peace in the outdoors and delight in simple pleasures. She became known for her love of baking, especially her famous carrot cake, which no family gathering was complete without. She loved dancing to a good polka and was endlessly enthusiastic about her family Disney trips - a tradition that brought her so much excitement and joy year after year. To Eleanor, family was everything, and she made sure everyone knew it.

Eleanor is survived by her loving family:

• her daughter Helene Kapica,
son-in-law Janusz Kapica,
granddaughter Janene Kapica and her spouse Jeffrey Gotch, and their daughters Eleanora and Penelope Gotch;
• her grandchildren Erika Scala, Bryan Scala, and Charlie Scala, along with his wife Julie, and their sons Harrison and Elliott Scala;
• her beloved sister-in-law Cathy Marecki, her dear niece Dawn Marecki and her spouse Dave Soto, and her nephew Eric Marecki and his children Lyla, Juliet, and Shawn Marecki.

She was predeceased by her beloved daughter Denise Scala, granddaughter Kristie Scala, parents Loretta Marecki and Edward Stepnowski, stepfather Stanley Marecki, Sr., her grandparents Anna and Kazimierz Maczug, who lovingly helped raise her, her dearest brother Stanley Marecki, Jr., and husbands Julian Mielniczuk and Wiktor Karwowski.
Eleanor's bold spirit, love of laughter, and devotion to her family will live on in all who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of strength, love, and honesty - the kind that made her truly one of a kind. She will be forever greatly missed.