Janina Koziol (Sychterz)
Janina passed away peacefully at the Edgewater Gardens Long-Term Care Home in Dunnville on March 27, 2024. She had recently celebrated her 91st birthday.
Janina will be remembered as an energetic, hard-working person with a playful sense of humour and a great sense of style. She had an untiring love for her family, and her memory will always be cherished by her children, Mike (Brenda) in Sudbury, Adam (Joelle) in Dunnville, and Diane (John) in Montreal. She will be dearly missed by grandkids Candice, Francis (Kylie), Megan (Alberto), Derek (Shannon) and Jessica, and by her great grandchildren Jordyn, Charlotte, Felix, Leo, William, Nilo and Erik. Her much beloved husband of 68 years, Jozef, passed away in 2021.
Janina was born in Poland on March 5, 1933. As a young woman, she met and fell in love with a young man from a distant village. She married Jozef in 1953 and settled on a small family farm where they shared a two-room house with Jozef’s mother and brother. After the birth of two boys and then a girl, Janina and Jozef decided to pursue better opportunities for themselves and their children by immigrating to Canada.
Janina and Jozef arrived in Montreal in 1963 with three young children, a few suitcases, no jobs, and no knowledge of English or French. Through hard work and perseverance, they built a great life in Canada. Janina started out cleaning houses and eventually moved to factory jobs with fair pay and good working conditions. Life got easier as they made new friends, became active in a Polish community organization, and bought their own home in Montreal. Even though their formal education was limited, Janina and Jozef made sure their children got a good education, and all three went on to graduate from university or college.
Janina was a very social person. She and Jozef opened their home to other family members and sponsored their immigration to Canada. She loved to entertain and was an excellent cook and baker. She and Jozef hosted large gatherings of family and friends where there was always lots to eat and drink.
Janina and Jozef moved to Mississauga about 30 years ago, where they loved to have their kids and their families come visit, especially to celebrate the holidays. The grandkids have fond memories of Babcia sneaking one more delicious golombki, pierogi or nalesniki onto their plates while proclaiming “Eat more, eat more!”
In 2014, Janina and Jozef moved to a newly built house in Dunnville. As the stages of her Alzheimer’s disease advanced, she moved to Edgewater Gardens in 2020 where Jozef was a devoted twice-daily visitor, never missing coming in to help her with lunch and supper until his passing. Family and friends will be comforted by knowing that Janina will now be reunited with her beloved Jozef.
Visitation will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, Dunnville on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 from 10:00 to 11:00 am with Funeral Mass following at 11:00 am. Interment will be at St. Michael’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences jwhartfuneralhome.com
The family wishes to thank the staff at Edgewater Gardens for their kindness, respect, compassion and patience as they provided care to Janina over the past few years, and to the residents of Willow Creek wing who welcomed Janina into their community.
Dear family of Janina.
It has saddened me greatly that Janina has passed. I loved her spunk, and her smile (when she showed it) Jozeph holds a special place in my heart as well. I remember sitting with your mom when she first arrived at Edgewater. Always saying how “wonderful “ 😉 the food was.
She talked about her kids then. And you could see the love she bestowed on all of you. Mike and Brenda, your faithfulness in coming after your Dad died brought joy to me. Always so kind. And thanks for spreading the joy your parents instilled in you.
Daienne
Dear Koziol Family and Extended Family, we are so sorry to hear of the passing of Janina. She was a wonderful person and mother, grandmother. Cherish all those beautiful memories and she will remain in your hearts forever. How fortunate you were to have her for so many years. The care and compassion you demonstrated was exemplary. Out thoughts are with you and the family as you celebrate her life.
Love Barbara, Garth and family
I am very sorry for your loss – what a brave journey she undertook in life – and what a hard working and generous person she was as well. Thinking of you all as you celebrate her life and mourn her loss.
Joyce and Rip Pearce (parents in-law of her nephew, Przemek Sychterz).
Many condolences from our family to yours on the loss of your dear mother, mother-In-Law, grandmother and great-grandmother. Your parents lived a long, full life of hard work but also great love and devotion. Having seen my own grandparents immigration story, I can relate to just how incredible this journey of perseverance to build a life in Canada truly was. Rest in peace, Janina.
Mike & Brenda. Our condolences to you Mike and Brenda and your entire family at this time. As dedicated as Jozef was in attending to his wife, were you both in these last years in driving to Dunnville and helping out with Janina’s routine. It sounds like Josef and Janina’s lives were those typical of immigrants to Canada. They grabbed opportunities and worked hard to help their loved children succeed. You were all well fed by Janina! May Janina rest in peace.
To all Koziol Family,Exept our deepest sympaty
of the passing of Janina.