Beloved wife of A. Andrzej (Andrew) Endelman (deceased) and mother of Katherine Anne Endelman. She had many close friends who became her family of the heart: Andrew Busza, Iza Laponce, Harry Lieber, Mercedes Pacheco, Ewa Czaykowski-Higgins, Piotr Czaykowski, Ewa Busza-Bourne, Danielle Laponce-Burkett, Andy Pacheco, David Pacheco and all theirs spouses and children.
Born in Lwow, Poland to Halina Gorska and Marion Gorski. She lost both her parents during WWII. As a teenager, she was transported with some friends to a German work camp from which they managed to escape and finally, after many adventures, was reunited in Belgium with her grandmother, two aunts, two half-brothers and several cousins. She graduated university with a degree in Social Work, and later undertook further studies at the London School of Economics.
In the late 1940's, Krystyna went to London to say good-bye to her great-uncle and -aunt, Bogmuil and Ludwiga Endelman, who were immigrating to Australia. While there, she fell in love with their son, a medical student. The last time the cousins had met was when they were playing as toddler's under a table.
They married in the 1950's in Belgium. Andrew completed his studies in Dublin, Ireland. The young couple promised to join his parents in Australia after he completed his schooling. On the way to Australia, the young Dr. Endelman completed a year long internship at Vancouver General Hospital.
In Australia, Dr. Endelman set up a general practice and Krystyna acted as his secretary. Much to the Endelman's joy they found out that they were going to have a child. In 1961, their only child Katherine, was born. They remained in Australia for two more years after their daughter's birth but Andrew did not tolerate the heat and wanted to specialize, so the family emigrated to Vancouver, with stops in England and Belgium to visit relations.
While Andrew studied and worked, Krystyna looked after the house and her daughter. To further his career, Dr. Endelman packed his family up in 1967 and moved to Detroit, MI. Once again his wife went with him, not complaining about the move. The family was in the city while the riots were going on. In 1968, they moved back to Vancouver permanently.
In Vancouver, Krystyna embraced her family and friends. People were drawn to her. She had an incredible personality. No matter how hard life was, she never complained. she looked after her husband when he had two open-heart surgeries and during his last illness. She was not healthy, but she refused to give in to her various illnesses. She continued to run her household until the last month of her life. Even in her last days, she was generous and kind.
Krystyna will be laid to rest next to her husband at Ocean View cemetery. In lieu of flowers, she would live donations to be given to Medicines Sans Frontiers, CKNW Orphans Fund, or Van Dusen Gardens.