Obituary of Paulina Tarka
Tarka, Paulina
Surrounded by the love of her family, Paulina, age 97, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 5th, 2021 at her residence. Paulina, beloved wife of the late Wojciech, will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Maria and husband Phil Carbonara and by her grandchildren Nicholas and Natalie.
Paulina was born on November 8th, 1923 in Izhevsk, a city just west of the Ural Mountains in Russia. Happy childhood memories that she shared highlighted her love for her family and friends. From an early age, Paulina exhibited her light-hearted wit and wonderful sense of humour which lasted until the day she passed. After her family moved to Kharkiv, Ukraine, she was torn from them as she was taken prisoner by the Nazis to a labour camp in Wiesbaden, Germany in 1941. Paulina’s unwavering faith gave her the strength to survive the war and it continued to carry her through her life on earth. With great determination and perseverance, she began rebuilding her life which took her to Valencia, Venezuela. There, Paulina met the love of her life, Wojciech, and they married in 1957. Together, they established a remarkable supermarket business. To avoid political strife, they immigrated to Canada in 1960, landing in Quebec City where their daughter Maria was born. In 1963, the family moved to St. Catharines, where Paulina established her final roots.
Paulina radiated a joie de vivre. She appreciated the fine arts and was an avid reader, a gourmet cook and baker. Although her priority was taking care of her family, she made time for sewing, knitting, crocheting and gardening. Her grandchildren were the apple of her eye and she spent countless hours playing with them, going on adventures and nurturing them. Paulina was not only a special grandmother but truly a second mom to Nicholas and Natalie.
Over the years, all who met Paulina were touched by her kind-heartedness, compassion and selflessness. She was always lovingly willing to give a helping hand and to spread joy everywhere she went.
“A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.” Maya Angelou
The family will receive friends at the George Darte Funeral Home, 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines on Sunday, September 12th fropm 2-4 and 6-8pm, vigil prayers at 7pm. Funeral Mass on Monday, September 13th at 11am at St. Julia Church 251 Glenridge Avenue. If so desired, donation made in Paulina's memory to Hospice Niagara would be appreciated by her family.
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