It is with heartfelt sadness that the family of Bernice Gajb announces her passing on November 8, 2021 at the age of 95 years.  Bernice will be forever cherished by her daughter Marie Szklarz; her granddaughters Kristin (Kristopher) and Shanelle (Jordan); and her great granddaughters Anabelle and Novalyn.  Bernice was predeceased by her husband Adam Gajb, son Mark Gajb, sister Frances Mycko, brother Hieronim Jaskowiec, and parents Antonina and Aleksander Jaskowiec.

Bernice was born in Dernow, Kamionka Strumilowa, Poland. Her family owned a vast farming estate and often opened their large home to community dances and events.

In February 1940, soon after World War II began, Bernice and her family were captured by the Russian army and, along with thousands of other Polish people, deported to a concentration camp in Kotlas, Siberia.  Her family’s estate was expropriated by the Russian army. In Siberia, Bernice endured brutal conditions, hard labour, starvation and bitter cold. She was 13 years old.

In 1942, Bernice and her family escaped from Siberia and travelled south (mostly by foot) through Kazakhstan and Afghanistan, temporarily working in Tajikistan and Iran before reaching Kolhapur, India.

Bernice lived in Kolhapur for five years where she earned a diploma as a Master Tailor and worked as a sewing instructor. In the fall of 1948, she and her family were relocated to England to an army camp at Reading where she later met Adam Gajb, her future husband.

In January 1950, Bernice immigrated to Alberta, Canada where she learned a new language and raised a family. Initially she worked as a chef at the Rimbey Hospital. Later, in Edmonton, she taught children at a University of Alberta playschool and went on to earn a Beautician Diploma.

In Edmonton, Bernice was active in the Polish Women’s Federation, and she and her husband Adam also served in the Polish Combatants’ Association. They continued their volunteer service with the Combatants’ upon moving to Calgary where Bernice also sang in the Polish choir. In 2004, Bernice joined her family in New Westminster, British Columbia where she enjoyed playing Canasta Cards at Century House.

Perhaps it was the challenges Bernice faced in her early life that formed the resilient and strong woman we remember. Always true to herself, Bernice was comfortable in her skin and never afraid to speak the truth. She balanced courage and wisdom with kindness and compassion, and she lived the values of generosity, loyalty and justice.

Her Polish name Bronislawa means “glorious protector,” and she was fearless in supporting her family and close friends with a love that was unconditional, true and constant. The epitomy of elegance and grace, Bernice was a remarkable woman and an inspiration to those fortunate to know her. She enriched all of us and made a beautiful difference in our lives. Bernice will be sadly missed.

The family extends its heartfelt thanks to the wonderful team at St. Michael’s Hospice for their compassionate care and support.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am on Monday, November 22, 2021 at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 9387 Holmes Street, Burnaby, BC with visitation starting at 10:30am.

The service will be live-streamed at https://www.legacystreaming.com/kearney/

Interment to follow at a later date at Queen’s Park Cemetery in Calgary, Alberta.