JADWIGA GASKA

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JADWIGA GASKA It is with breaking hearts we sorrowfully announce the sudden passing of our mother and grandmother, Jadwiga Gaska, on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at the Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba. With her family by her side and her hand in ours, our Mother and Grandmother took her last breath knowing that she was surrounded by a great, overflowing abundance of love and caring. She leaves to mourn her daughters, Donna Mesman, Teresa Banman (Gerald), grandchildren, Zachary, Daniel and Lindsey, her nephew Gary Gaska and his family in Calgary and by her sister Teresa Budzinska and her family in Poland. Also mourning her lose is her very special life long friend Irene Bialecki. Irene and Mom's friendship lasted over 65 years and gave great comfort to both of them. She was predeceased by her daughter Bozena in 1946 and her husband Julian in 1976. Mom was born in Konin, Poland on May 15, 1924. She endured many hardships in her youth. She lost her Mother to tuberculosis when our Mom was only 11 years old. Many times Mom spoke about how this tragic loss affected her during her entire life. Due to forces beyond their control, the people of her generation were essentially robbed of their youth by the events of the Second World War. At the age of 15, Mom was taken from her family in Poland by the Nazis and forced to work on various farms in Germany. Mom was always a hard worker and endured these trials and then prevailed over them. When the war ended she was put in a camp for displaced persons in Lubeck Germany. It was there that she met and married our father, Julian. Unfortunately the conditions in the camp and the lack of medical aid saw our parents lose their first child. Their second child, Donna, was also born in Germany. In 1948 the family immigrated to Canada. The journey by ship across the Atlantic was so terrible that Mom vowed never to sail in a large ship again! They made their home in Winnipeg where they built their life together. They struggled in the beginning but eventually life became good. They bought a home in the north end where Mom lived for 60 years until her passing. It was in Winnipeg that they welcomed their third daughter Teresa. Our parents were looking forward to watching their first grandson Zachary grow up when Dad was suddenly taken from us. This was a particular hardship but once again Mom continued to prevail. Then a second grandson Daniel was born and brought her joy. Then her granddaughter Lindsey was born and Mom was so happy. Her grandchildren were the light of her life and she was so proud of each of them. She rejoiced in their accomplishments. They knew they could always go to Grandma to talk about anything and she would have an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, a helping hand to give and sound advice to offer. Our Mom and Grandmother was a beautiful person with a pure soul. Family was everything to her and there wasn't anything she wouldn't do for her daughters or grandchildren. Mom's nature was to constantly worry for her family. She cared for each and every one of us and loved us all unconditionally. She was a pillar of strength who taught her family well and her generosity knew no bounds. Mom had a passion for beauty and nature. She was often found in her vegetable garden or flower beds from early in the morning until the sunset when the mosquitoes chased her inside! She could grow anything and her plants always flourished. She was a very independent spirit who was able to care for herself and remain in her own home until the end. Mom often told us how blessed she was in her retirement years. She remembered what it is like to be hungry and fearful of her future. She was ever thankful for the security and simple abundance of her later years. She took comfort in her religion and firmly believed that there is glorious life after death. We know that she is now sharing in that life. To those who are fortunate to still have your mother with you, please give her a big hug and tell her you love her. Our time together is so precious. To her many friends, thank you for your friendship over the years. It meant a lot to our Mom and to us, her family. Prayers will be said on Sunday, March 18, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street, Winnipeg. The Funeral will be on Monday, March 19, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church, 341 Selkirk Ave. followed by interment at Holy Ghost Cemetery. An Oblate Father will be officiating. Pallbearers will be Richard Malawski, Tao Pasnak, Shawn Race, Paul Havens, and her grandsons Zachary and Daniel Mesman. The family graciously accepts your kind offerings of condolence and prayers for the peaceful repose of the soul of our mother and grandmother. For those wishing to do so, a donation may be made to the charity of your choice in the name of our mother, Jadwiga Gaska. WIECZNY ODPOCZYNEK RACZ JEJ DAC PANIE WE'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 17, 2007