Isabelle Barbara Haznar Wojnar

Isabelle Barbara Haznar Wojnar, 83, of Cape Coral, formally of New Bedford, Mass., and Baldwin, Long Island, N.Y., died Saturday, April 5, 2008, at Hope Hospice after a courageous battle with heart disease.

“Aunt Isy,” as she was known by her numerous nieces and nephews, leaves behind a rich legacy of instilling love and practicality throughout her large family and the thousands of students she empowered as a professional educator.

The daughter of Jon and Mary (Kawalec) Haznar, now deceased, of New Bedford, Mass., and wife of Lt. Col. Edward Wojnar, now deceased, for more than 50 years, she graduated from Framingham (Mass.) State College and secured her master’s degree in education from Bridgewater (Mass.) State College. During her tenure as a home economics instructor, relaying a love of cooking and food to her students, she met and later married her loving husband, Edward. The two raised a family of five while sharing a passion for traveling throughout the world, entertaining friends and transmitting the couple’s true appreciation of life with many.

She taught in the New Bedford Public School System for 16 years before she and her family relocated to Baldwin, Long Island, N.Y., in 1964. For the remaining 20 years of her professional career, she was a vital member of the Levittown Union Free School District.

Upon retirement, the Wojnars moved to Cape Coral while continuing their numerous journeys throughout North America via motor home and then to many corners of the world. She was a member of the St. Kazimir Catholic Parish in New Bedford, St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in Baldwin, N.Y., and later St. Andrew Catholic Church in Cape Coral. She was an enthusiastic member and supporter of such organizations as the American Association of University Women, the Cape Coral Retired Officers Association and the Cultural Park Theatre Company of Cape Coral.

Survivors include her children, Edward K. Wojnar and Mark J. Wojnar of New Bedford, Mass., Peter Wojnar of Tarrytown, N.Y., and Andrea Wojnar-Diagne of Dakar, Senegal; daughters-in-law, Maria O. Wojnar of Rockville Center, Long Island, N.Y., and Dr. Laurie Jacobs of Tarrytown, N.Y.; son-in-law, Moustapha Diagne of Dakar, Senegal; brother, Edwin (Louise) Haznar of New Bedford, Mass.; as well as many nieces and nephews. Her grandchildren include David, Nicholas, Katrina, Elizabeth, Julia and Benjamin Wojnar, and Ahmed, Basia-Marie and Isabelle Diagne. She also leaves a devoted friend, Ivy Taylor of Cape Coral.

She was preceded in death by her son, Steven Wojnar, and loving sisters, Wanda Driscoll of Cape Coral and Stasia Green of New Bedford, Mass.

She was recently honored by the Women’s Legacy Fund of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation by her vast circle of loving family members and friends as “a caring, generous and accomplished woman.” The fund, established to support the needs of women and families in Southwest Florida, recognized her “as a daughter of immigrants, she understood the value of hard work and education. As a public school teacher for many decades, she supported the importance of helping young people succeed. In her retirement she contributed time and money to many Southwest Florida Community groups. As a world traveler she conveyed her respect and interest in many communities, cultures and creeds.”

The family will receive relatives and friends Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Metz Funeral Chapel. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church.

There will be a memorial celebration of her life in New Bedford, Mass., later this year.

In lieu of flowers, her family requests her legacy of love continue through contributions to Hope Hospice, 9470 Health Park Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908, or the Women’s Legacy Fund at the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, 8260 College Parkway, Suite 101, Fort Myers, FL 33919.

Arrangements by Metz Chapel of Harvey Engelhardt Metz Funeral Homes.