It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Paulina Sophia Kuprel (Gola), a much loved and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Paulina died peacefully in her home in Burnaby, BC on September 4, 2023, at the age of 92.
Paulina was born in Hamarnia, Poland, on April 7, 1931 to Andrew and Anna Gola. She was predeceased by her husband Waclaw, and is survived by her four children Andrew (Angela), Sophia (Richard), Diana (Myron) and Stanly (Liz); her four grandchildren Wesley (Courtney), John, Raine and Amani (Caleb); and her great-grandchildren Hunter, Chase, Theo, Scout and Rocky. She is also survived by her two sisters, Krystyna and Renata, and their children, and predeceased by her sister Stanislawa and her brothers Jozef and Julian.
After World War II redrew the national borders, her family was resettled in Gaworzyce, in western Poland, where she grew up on a village farm before moving to Wroclaw. She met Waclaw, married and embarked on her new life aboard the Stefan Batory to Canada. Her first years were spent in Ocean Falls, BC, where her four children were born and which had a lively Polish émigré community, before the family relocated permanently to Vancouver.
Paulina loved spending time in the mountains, and was always up for a hike while her abilities allowed. She had a sense of adventure and got great joy from traveling and exploring new places. She was a gifted seamstress, who dressed her daughters and many of the town women in her original creations, and a talented baker, whose treats would light up the eyes of her children’s friends. She was kind and generous, quick to laugh and always had a friendly word for a neighbour. She was proud and supportive of her children, and worked selflessly so they could have a less tough life than she had. And most of all, she adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and her spirit would light up when she was with them or was regaled about their escapades.
As per her wishes, no funeral service is planned.
In lieu of flowers, we request that you make a donation in her memory to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, to honour her passion for nature.