Justyna Dolegowski, age 20 of Wayne, died on Tuesday, January 16, 2018. She is yet another victim of the heroin epidemic that is senselessly claiming so many of our wonderful children. She was a 2015 graduate of Wayne Valley High School and a lovely, beautiful young woman.

Sadly, Justyna was six months pregnant. Her and boyfriend Robert Mlynarski were anxiously anticipating the birth of her son; Christian Mlynarski. The two met through family friends and have had an unbreakable bond ever since the day they met. She had recently been shopping with her sister and was excited to be buying clothes and planning for Christian’s arrival in April.

The day Justyna found out she was pregnant with a beautiful bundle of joy, she could not wait to tell everyone. Right away she told her sister Beata who was with her at the time, then they drove to her mother’s job to reveal the news. They then rushed over to Iwona’s place of work where all the sisters wept tears of joy. The whole family was filled with excitement. Her best friend, Samantha Falato was just as excited to hear the news. Justyna and Samantha have been best friends for over thirteen years and when out in public, people would often mistake them as twins. They were inseparable. Just one week ago, Justyna was with her mother and siblings at home admiring Christian’s baby kicks. There was a special joy and light in her eyes and she just couldn’t wait to hold him in her arms. The two of them will now have to rest peacefully together forever.

For those struggling with addiction, or a family member of an addict: addiction is a family disease. One person may use, but the whole family suffers. Heroin will kidnap you, raise you, take your soul and return only your body to your family. Almost all of us know somebody who has lost someone they love to heroin overdose. Addiction is so hard to understand. The desire to use never goes away and the addict battles that desire every single day. It is not their fault, the drug takes over the brain and they have no choice. Addiction is the only prison where the locks are on the inside, but before you can break out of prison you must realize you are locked up. No matter how far you have gone, you can turn around before it is too late. Always remember that in some way or another, you are somebody’s angel, even if you do not realize it. They love you and think of you even if you do not hear it every day. Trust that there is love all around you even if you cannot feel it. You are not alone.

Justyna enjoyed swimming at Tomahawk Lake, walking near the water at Hoboken, Belmar Beach and the boardwalk. Anyplace with water was where she was happiest. As a young girl, she loved having tickle contests with her sisters; seeing who would be the first to laugh themselves off the side of the bed. Justyna was attached to her mother’s hip as a child, would not even let her mom step into another room of the house without her. She was very close with her family, her sisters and brother, and especially her four year old niece; Maya. Justyna and Maya were kindred souls and shared a very special bond. When Maya heard the news of Justyna’s passing, and was staring at her picture, she simply said “…so beautiful.” Justyna leaves them all to cherish memories of a quiet and peaceful girl who could be silly and goofy at times, with a heart that was larger than herself. They will all miss her terribly.

Justyna is survived by her parents; Malgorzata “Margaret” Dolegowski of Wayne, and Janusz Dolegowski of Wallington, her sisters; Iwona, Beata, Hanna Dolegowski, and her brother Bart Strzelczyk, her boyfriend; Robert Mlynarski, as well as a large family of aunts, uncles and cousins.

A GoFundMe page had been established to help the family with funeral and related expenses. Your support would be greatly appreciated. Please follow this link to Justyna’s GoFundMe page.