It is with deepest sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the death and peaceful passing of Stanislawa (Stella) Janiczek, our beloved “Ciocia” (auntie), on May 9th at the age of 97 years. She took a sudden turn for the worse and died at Kopernik nursing home. Stanislawa was born on March 3, 1927 in the small village of Żegocina, within the majestic foothills of Poland and near the historic city of Krakow. She is predeceased by her parents Vincenty and Maria Janiczek, her sisters, Mila Janiczek, Hania Waligora, Helena Mróz, Zofia Reluga, and brothers Stanislaw and John Janiczek. She is survived by her loving nieces Maria Reluga and Helen (Reluga) Basso (husband Marty, deceased), her cherished great nephew, David Basso, and many relatives in Poland. Ciocia was the middle child of 7 siblings. As a young woman she moved to the city where she worked as a seamstress. In 1966, she immigrated to Canada to start a new life with her new family in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She served her Polish church community and was a member of the Polish legion ladies circle. Ciocia lived for her family and worked in the laundry at the General Hospital for 25 years and also pursued sewing on the side. She lived a full and fruitful life with prosperous health. She was a courageous woman who lived on hope. She faced many trials and challenges as a child and young adult. She lived through the horrific war and was a witness to poverty, violence, death, and corruption under communism and the Nazi regime. Ciocia was no doubt a survivor with a life driven purpose to serve. During these times of fear and uncertainty, her faith was tested but never lost. Ciocia was deeply grounded in her faith from which she drew her strength. She was an ever devoted Catholic and a longtime member of St. Mary’s Our Lady Queen of Poland Church. Although she spent most of her living years in Thunder Bay, she moved to Vancouver (2005) with her sister, Zofia. Vancouver became her new home of 19 years during which time she was a parishioner at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and attended mass every Sunday with her family. She embraced her living years with joy, cherishing every moment in the embrace of her family and friends. Ciocia enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, gardening, sewing, cooking, berry and mushroom picking, knitting, taking nature walks, canning, and making huge perogy batches. Ciocia will be greatly missed. She will be guided into heaven where there is no pain and tears, to start her new journey. The memories we have of her will always be cherished in our hearts. Heaven has gained an angel. Special thanks to the dedicated and compassionate staff of Kopernik who took such good care of her during her 4 years in their home.
Vigil prayers will be held on July 7th at 7pm, at the Everest Funeral Chapel. Funeral mass for the late Miss Stanisława (Stella) Janiczek will be held in Thunder Bay, Ontario on July 8th at 11am, at St. Mary’s Queen of Poland Roman Catholic Church.