Obituary of Emilia Teresa Gagola

GAGOLA, EMILIA (nee PAKLOS)

Our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother was called by God on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at the age of 93.

Emilia was predeceased by her husband, Antoni and all of her brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughters, Irene (Reynold) and Dorothy (David), also 5 grandchildren - Jonathan (Javiera), Halina (Fred), Sarah (Radek), Katie (Andrew), and Richard; also 6 great-grandchildren (Matthew, Merik, Sophie, Simon, Olivia, and Gabriella).

Emilia was born to Mieczyslaw Paklos and Katarzyna Paterak in Goleszow, Tarnopol, Poland. She was the youngest of 14 children. At the outbreak of World War ll in 1939, Emilia was deported from Poland with her family to Soviet Russia. While in an orphanage in Soviet Russia she and the other orphaned children were rescued and made their way to Persia (Iran). Emilia and the other children were placed in one of the many camps in Africa, where she remained for 6 years and where she made friends for life. In 1948 the children were sent to various locations around the world. Emilia ended up in England where she met her future husband, Antoni.  They were married in 1949. In 1964 she and her family emigrated to Canada where they purchased a fruit farm in Niagara-on-the-Lake.  In 1968 they moved to St. Catharines, where Emilia worked as a seamstress at the Right House until she retired. After retirement she loved to travel and went to many countries around the world. She was an active member of the Polish Legion and her church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help where she sang in the choir. She enjoyed good health until 2021 when her health started to decline. She was an extremely independent and strong woman who lived on her own in her own home until a few days prior to her death. 

The family would like to thank Dr. Alamer, the staff of Hospice Niagara, and St. Elizabeth Healthcare for their support and kindness during this difficult time.  The Family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 15th from 2-4 and 6-8pm at the George Darte Funeral Home, 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines. Funeral Mass on Wenesday morning at 11am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 5 Oblate Street, St. Catharines. 

 Due to COVID-19 regulations anyone wishing to attend the visitation or Funeral Mass must email your appointment time request to rsvp@dartefuneralhome.com or call 905-937-4444. Anyone wishing to attend must show Proof of Double Vaccination for COVID-19, photo identification and masks must be worn.