Obituary of Zofia Lach
LACH, Zofia
Our beloved mother, sister, grandmother (babcia), and aunt (ciocia), Zofia Lach (nee Nowak), the matriarch of the Lach and Nowak families, died peacefully on February 1, 2021. Zofia will now join those who have gone before her: her husband Jan Lach, her brother Ryszard Nowak, and her parents Katarzyna and Piotr Nowak. We anticipate that they have greeted her arrival with much fanfare. Zofia is survived by her loving children Lucyna (Dennis Fortune) of Montreal, and Chris (Bev) of North Vancouver, her devoted brother Jan and sister-in-law Milena Nowak of Toronto, and sister-in-law, Zofia Nowak of Mississauga. Zofia adored her grandchildren Claire “Clarunia” Fortune, Liam “Liamus” Fortune, and Maya Lach. Zofia was ‘ciocia’ to many, among them Bozena and Ted Salik, Waldek and Iwona Nowak, Marius and Andrea Grabski, Teresa Cisek, and all of their families.
Zofia was born in Kielce, Poland on February 26, 1928. She married Jan Lach in 1958, and crossed the ocean on the Stefan Batory in May 1959, to start a new life in a country that she had only seen in photos. This was just one sign of her courage and willingness to sacrifice all that she knew and was familiar with, to embark on a journey of love, commitment to family, and community. She and Jan bought a farm in Jordan, Ontario in 1968 and moved there in 1973. The vineyard developed and became a family project. Zofia worked tirelessly with Jan tending the vineyards whilst also raising her family and maintaining her community engagement. In 1987, the farm was sold and the next chapter of her life began back in St. Catharines. She cared dearly for Jan during his lengthy illness until he passed in February 1997.
Zofia was an active member of the Polish community in St. Catharines, a member of the Polish Legion, Branch 418 Ladies Auxiliary, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. She loved being a part of this community. Weekly pierogi-making or cabbage-roll-making sessions provided her with a sense of purpose and belonging, as did the Friday afternoon coffee and cake gatherings with her friends at the Fairview Mall. The church provided her with a place of worship, belonging and faith.
Zofia lived her life on her terms. She loved when family and friends visited her and she traveled to visit her children in Montreal and Vancouver until that journey became too tiring. Zofia enjoyed her independence by walking to church, shopping locally for groceries, and regular visits to the delicatessen to ensure an adequate supply of bread and cold cuts. She spent the last 7 months of her life at Wawel Villa where she found a new community and friends. Her kind and gracious ways were reciprocated by staff, who were very caring and respectful. As she lost physical strength in the last days of her life, and as her family gathered to pay their respects, we recognized that the love and strength that propelled her through life had been passed onto us. With her passing it is our hope that Zofia felt the astonishing joy, gratitude and surprise of being released. She will live on in our hearts and we will carry that love and strength forward for the rest of our lives. This is the gift that she leaves us with and for which we are most grateful.
A private funeral service will be held at the George Darte Funeral Home, 585 Carlton St., St. Catharines on Thursday, February 4 at 1 p.m. Interment to follow at Victoria Lawn Cemetery. If desired, memorial donations designated to a building fund at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, to Wawel Villa, or to the Trillium Health Partners Foundation will be gratefully received.
Rest In Peace Mom. Love you.
