AGNES (AGNIESZKA) ZUREK (PIECZONKA) -

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AGNES (AGNIESZKA) ZUREK (nee PIECZONKA) 1908 - 2005 We regretfully announce the passing of Agnes (Agnieszka) Zurek on May 20, 2005 at the Maples Personal Care Home at the age of 97. Agnes will be deeply missed by her devoted daughter Czesia Pilozow and son Kasmir (Marusia) Zurek. She also leaves to mourn her daughters-in-law, Janina Lorenc and Charlotte Zurek. She will be lovingly missed by her grandchildren, Jerry (Eleanor) and Ted (Barbara) Pilozow; Michael and Andrei Zurek; Chris (Maria) Lorenc and Bozena (David) Langtry; Edward (Maggie), Angie and Teresa Zurek; and all their families. Agnes will be greatly missed by her large extended family, especially her niece Mary Wiecek, nephew Roman (Helen) Pieczonka, Stefa Pieczonka, Danusia (Gregg) Carmichael, their families throughout Canada and numerous relatives in Poland. She was predeceased by her first husband, Wladislaw Lorenc, in Siberia during the Second World War and by her second husband, George Zurek, in Winnipeg in 1990. During the War years she suffered the loss of five of her children. More recently in Winnipeg was predeceased by her eldest son Henryk Lorenc, stepson Joe Zurek, nephew Zygmunt Pieczonka and sister Victoria Wasilewska in Vancouver. Agnes' life journey is an amazing saga of courage, remarkable strength of character, unparalleled perseverance and survival, which took her literally around the world. She was born in Connellsville, PA, U.S.A. on February 12, 1908, the daughter of Josef and Ottilia Pieczonka. Her father was a coalminer. When she was four, her parents moved the family back to Polska Wola, Poland where she spent her girlhood years. There she met her husband Wladislaw Lorenc and they raised their young family together until the outbreak of the Second World War. During the War Agnes suffered great hardships, grief, turmoil, starvation and life-threatening illnesses. In 1940 she and her family were exiled to Siberia where her husband perished. In 1942 widowed Agnes and her young family endured a debilitating journey as they were relocated to refugee camps in Uzbekhastan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Pakistan, India, Kenya and Tanzania. Along this journey five of her children perished. Finally they settled in a refugee camp in the foothills of Mt. Kilamanjaro for six years. Here Agnes also took in and cared for her orphaned niece and nephews, in addition to her own two surviving children. Following the War, Agnes and the surviving members of her family were resettled in England from where they immigrated to Canada in 1949. They settled in Winnipeg where Agnes met and married George Zurek. Together they continued to raise their blended families and welcomed the birth of their new, youngest son Kasmir. Heroism and courage take many different forms. Agnes' life exemplified the heroism of unselfish love and devotion to the survival and well-being of her family against the greatest of odds, no matter how difficult her sacrifices. Over the past 97 years her love has encircled and nurtured so many, for which we are so truly grateful. Prayers for Agnes will be said on Tuesday, May 24 at 8:00 p.m., at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 25 at 10:30 a.m. by Fr. Anthony Degutis, O.M.I. at Holy Ghost Church, 341 Selkirk Ave. Interment to follow in Holy Ghost Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Jerry Pilozow, Michael Zurek, Chris Lorenc, Edward Zurek, Warren Pilozow and nephew Paul Wiecek. The family extend their thanks to the staff of the Maples Personal Care Home for their kindness and care over the past months, especially the staff on Unit 2 - West. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Agnes' memory to Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church. Wieczny odpoczynek raczjej dac Panie. Niech Kanadyjska ziemia bedzie lekka. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 24, 2005