A lifelong supporter of Pius X Catholic High School, Maria Witkowicz ’71 created a transformational legacy in memory of her parents, Josephine and Petro Witkowicz, to provide a Pius X Catholic education for future generations. Building on her faithful annual giving (never missing even a single year), Maria gave a Leadership Level gift to the Forward in Faith and Excellence Campaign, followed by the largest planned gift in our school’s history.
Maria’s story began long before her graduation from Pius. Her parents, Josephine and Petro, endured tremendous hardship during World War II. Both were taken from their homes as teenagers, Josephine from Poland and Petro from Ukraine, and forced into slave labor in Germany. Josephine labored on a farm and Petro in a coal mine. After the war, it took several years for the victorious Allied Forces to process the millions of displaced persons in Germany. During this process numerous Displaced Persons camps were established. It was in one of those camps that Josephine and Petro met and were married.
Seeking a better future, they chose to immigrate with their two children, rather than return to their Soviet-controlled homelands. After an unexpected change in plans redirected them from Australia to the United States, the family arrived in Lincoln in March 1951.
Born in Lincoln in 1953, Maria attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Pius X in 1971. She earned degrees in accounting and business administration from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, became a Certified Public Accountant, and spent the final 15 years of her career with the Nebraska Hospital Association. A devout Catholic, she was active in her parish and the Pink Sisters Auxiliary. Maria passed away on Christmas Day 2025.
“I’m very proud of Maria for her generosity and the positive impact it will have on students and our grandchildren. The gift is the result of her work ethic and a lifetime of modest living formed by our parents’ example of sacrificial living.”
Creating a new scholarship in her parent’s memory
Josephine and Petro felt that education was the key to a better life. In honor of their sacrifices and encouragement, Maria established the Josephine, Petro and Maria Witkowicz Scholarship Fund.
Through her $250,000 gift for the Forward in Faith and Excellence Campaign, Maria helped create scholarship opportunities while also supporting construction of the school’s new chapel.
The gift of a lifetime
In addition to her tremendous generosity to Pius X throughout her lifetime, Maria Witkowicz also made plans to help ensure her alma mater could remain within reach of every student who desires to be part of the Thunderbolt family.
Maria’s commitment to Pius X extended beyond her lifetime. As part of her estate plans, she designated more than $1.3 million to the Pius X Foundation Endowment. She wanted to ensure our school’s tuition for a high-value Catholic education remained accessible for every student.
Her brother, Victor Witkowicz ’68, reflected on her gift: “I’m very proud of Maria for her generosity and the positive impact it will have on students and our grandchildren. The gift is the result of her work ethic and a lifetime of modest living formed by our parents’ example of sacrificial living.”
Through her generosity, Maria ensured that the opportunities she received, and that her parents so deeply valued, will continue to bless thousands of Pius X students for years to come.
