Margaret Chryplewicz Wunder

Margaret (Chryplewicz) Wunder

Margaret Wunder, a beautiful and dynamic wife, mother, and grandmother, passed

peacefully at Orlando Cornerstone Hospice on Saturday, April 25, 2026. She was laid

to rest at Dr. Phillips Cemetery on Friday, May 1.

Margaret is survived by her devoted husband, Nick Wunder; her beloved son, Tom

Chryplewicz, and his wife Magen; stepchildren Tommy Wunder (Erica) and Julie Norris

(Shon); her lifelong friend in Poland (Aska), her brother Mike Wierzbicki (Mariola), and

seven adored grandchildren — Dylan, Austin, Logan, Holden, Delilah, Hunter, and

Jackson.

Born on June 23, 1947, in coastal Gdynia, Poland, she was the cherished daughter of

Zbignew Wierzbicki and Alicja Wierzbicka. She spent her childhood exploring sandy

beaches, boating with friends, attending school, and swimming competitively.

Margaret’s life was defined by resilience and courage. In 1976, she left Poland for the

United States, arriving in New York and then settling in Michigan afterwards becoming a

U.S. citizen on December 15, 1986 which was one of the proudest moments of her life.

While raising her young son as a single mother, she attended school at night and

earned a master’s degree. She was a microbiologist. Her dedication led her to work in

a urology lab in Michigan and later at The IVF Fertility Center in Winter Park, Florida.

Another proud accomplishment was buying her own Michigan and Casselberry, Florida

home.

Margaret loved to travel. She took her son, Tom, on treasured trips, including a

memorable journey to Hawaii, where they wandered away from a tour group finding a

secret waterfall. In 2006, Tom met Magen and in 2008 they married, and together they

welcomed three sons—Dylan, Austin, and Logan—who became a constant source of

joy for Margaret.

In her later years, Margaret met Nick, and together they built a beautiful partnership,

marrying on November 30, 2019. Together, they traveled extensively, especially

enjoying trips to Poland, Machu Picchu, Galapagos, New Zealand, Australia, as well as

cruises and trips to visit their grandchildren in North Carolina and Maine. Through Nick,

Margaret found herself with a larger family. Nick’s son Tommy Wunder and his wife

Erica blessed her with two grandchildren, Holden and Delilah, and his daughter Julie

Norris, with her husband Shon, added twin grandsons, Hunter and Jackson to the

group. Margaret cherished each of them deeply.

She was blessed to have a lifelong best friend, (Aska), whose friendship endured from

college through all of life’s seasons. WhatsApp video calls with Aska were among her

favorite pastimes.

Her love of life extended also to animals. She adored her cats—Aza, Charlie, and

Phoebe—and volunteered at the Conroy Orange County Animal Shelter where she had

a way with the cats, so even the grumpy cats calmed around her. She had a special love for

manatees and local wildlife. She also had a gift for gardening and creating beautiful

floral arrangements.

Margaret surprised everyone by serving as a Citizens on Patrol volunteer in her 70’s

with the sheriff’s department in honor of her son, Tom, who was a police officer. She

also loved cars, proudly buying, after saving for years, a red used 2003 Mercedes Benz

SLK230 hardtop convertible. The car was still in mint condition when she passed, and

her son Tom and daughter-in-law, Magen, will be proudly driving the pristine vintage car.

Margaret was known for her strong/friendly personality and unwavering determination.

Tough, hardworking, and unwilling to quit, she balanced grit with immense kindness,

beauty and generosity. She had a dynamic love for life, family, the outdoors, travel, and

animals that was truly one of a kind.

Her legacy lives on in her husband Nick, her son Tom and his family, her seven

grandchildren, and the many people and animals whose lives she brightened. She will

be missed by everyone who knows and loves her.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Orange County Animal Services at:

https://www.ocnetpets.com/GetInvolved/Donate.aspx

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