FILOMENA (PHYLIS) (BURDZY) KANANOWICZ

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FILOMENA (PHYLIS) (BURDZY) KANANOWICZ 1930 - 2018 On Tuesday, November 6, 2018, my mother peacefully departed this world. She was born in the heart of the north end of Winnipeg when her mother Franciszka and father Kazimierz left Poland to see a new life in Canada after the First World War. Her childhood was spent on Dufferin at the start of the Depression and on Flora to see the end of the Second World War. She was joined during this time with the arrival of her sister Elizabeth (Burdzy) Barker. They are now all together awaiting Kaz, her son, and her nephew Christopher to join them when it comes their time. My mom graduated from St. John's High School to go on to work for Burgess Battery, CP Rail and finally to retire from many years and pleasant memories working for 733 Communication Squadron. Her final years were spent at Holy Family Nursing Home (HFNH). I cannot thank HFNH and the staff on the St. John's ward enough for such a welcoming and peaceful end to her life. Mom would also have been grateful to Canadian taxpayers for contributions to CancerCare that extended her life that much longer for us to enjoy. Mom loved to learn and grow and was a proud Canadian. She lived to see Poland freed, the epic election of Mayor Murray, a Polish Pope, and the epic election of Barak Obama. Filomena lived with the holy spirit (Matthew 12:31-32) in her and was a friend to the friendless. She is now free to bake and decorate wedding cakes, sing Stormy Weather, dance the Krakowiak, learn Ukrainian as a third language, visit Folklorama, watch and wait for the Bombers to win the Grey Cup and order a late night Biryani from the India Palace. She can now host Easter and Christmas dinner parties experimenting with foods from all over the world for those in the Armed Forces unable to go home for the holidays. Mom never measured anyone by fiscal success. I regret that I was not a better son during my youth in appreciating the plight of a single mother. What she left me though was a heart that someone else also fell in love with, my partner and love of my life, Chris. It is a gift I cannot thank you enough for Mom. We will remember and honour you by continuing to hand out the embers of kindness that you placed in the hearts of the friendless. A celebration of life will be held at HFNH. For information contact kazmir@mts.net or 204-997-6922. Acts of condolences in memory can be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 17, 2018