Obituary of Brygida Szymaniak

Szymaniak, Brygida (nee Lojko) - On Monday January 23, 2017 at Garden City Manor in her 84th year. Predeceased by her loving husband Zygmunt who died in 1985 and they would have been married for 62 years this year. Also predeceased by her first born son Zygmunt (1956) and her nephew Teddie Holubowicz (2017). Dear mother to Ed (Deb) and John (Heather). Cherished Babcia to Zygmunt and Zachary. Will be sadly missed by her brother George (Donna) Lojko and sister Maricia (Andrew) Holubowicz. Survived by her nieces and nephews Christine (Larry) Kott, Steven (Juliet) Holubowicz and many loving family members. Brygida was a tough cookie. She lived through WWII where she saw some of her relatives murdered. She persevered and came to Canada on her own where she met the love of her life Zygmunt. They became engaged, but before they were married, Zygmunt had a mining accident, which put him in a wheel chair for the rest of his life. They married as planned and settled in St. Catharines. She worked very hard to raise her family. She helped found Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and the Polish Legion on Vine Street through the ladies auxillary. She supported numerous charities and missions throughout the world. Even in retirement, she worked as the secretary for the church until she had a stroke. Her deep religious convictions and works carried her through all the adversity she faced in her life. A special thanks to Robin Adair, a true angel here on earth and the staff at Garden City Manor (Burgoyne Wing) for the past 11 years of care to our mother. Family will receive friends at the George Darte Funeral Home, 585 Carlton Street on Wednesday between 6-8 pm and Thursday 2-4 and 6-8pm. Vigil prayers will be said in the funeral home on Thursday at 7:30pm. Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 5 Oblate Street, on Friday at 10am. Burial will follow at Victoria Lawn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the church building fund in Brygida's honour.