Obituary for Mrs. Edita Joanna Plewa
Edita Plewa
Mrs. Edita Plewa, age 83 years, passed away peacefully in Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Friday, April 9, 2021 with her family by her side.
Edita was born on December 13, 1937 in Rostock, Germany to parents, Jozefa Jankowska (mother) and Jan Jankowski (father) before the second world war. Her Polish parents were working at the Polish embassy in Rostock and shortly before the war began, they were expelled back to Poland where they settled in the town of Mianowice. Here Edita would spend her childhood. She was one of 18 siblings in her family and was a good baby. Her mother told her she never cried or fussed even though they had to travel long distances in the cold weather by horse and wagon. When she was older, her family moved to Bialogard where she would stay for the remainder of her years in Poland. Her mother was a midwife and when Edita was old enough she began work at the hospital as well. She was a nurse to new born babies and took her job seriously.
In 1960 she came to Canada to make a better life for herself. She settled in Winnipeg and went to work in a large sewing factory where she trained to become a talented seamstress. She stayed in this line of work for many years before transitioning into a much sought after housekeeper. Edita’s clients adored her and often showered her with gifts to show their appreciation of both her character, and her work ethic.
Edita met her husband Joe in Toronto through mutual friends and married in 1970. They decided to move to Thunder Bay because they loved the area, even though they didn’t know anyone here. In the early years of their marriage they enjoyed fishing and the outdoors together.
One day when Edita was in her late forties, her and two older friends decided it was time they learned to drive. So off they went to write their driving test, and she passed on the first try! Edita never shied away from new challenges and every stage of her life reflected this.
Edita had many friends and was a member of the Ladies Auxillary at the Royal Canadian Polish Legion. At home she was a great hostess. Her house was always spotless with amazing food cooking on the stove. No one ever left her house empty handed, whether it was with food or gifts. She was constantly sending parcels to family and friends out of town and over seas. Her generosity was endless.
Edita respected and admired her parents so much and tried to live by the values they instilled in her. She was small in stature but strong in spirit; a tiny spitfire of a woman. Edita never had any children of her own but loved kids dearly, always showering those around her with love and care. In 1981 she had the privilege to become God-Mother to her friend Irene’s daughter, Lisa. She took this job to heart and became the standard to which all other God-Mothers should live up to. When Lisa had children, Edita treated them as if they were her own grand children, showering Gwen and Dominic with thoughtful gifts and more kisses than one thought possible.
Pancreatic cancer took it’s hold on Edita in the final weeks of her life. The pain she endured is unimaginable, yet this strong tiny woman dealt with it courageously and with decorum.
Edita is survived by her husband of 50 years, Joseph; sister Bogusia Jankowska, best friend and sister Barbara Jankowska; nieces and nephews; Barb Molnar (Rik), Betty Molnar (Grant), Jennifer Ostlere (Kyle), Gianfranco Versace (Haylee); great nephew Blake Molnar (Tamara); great nieces Tiana Normand, Jaiden Normand, Brooklynn Ostlere, Cora Ostlere, and Tylor Ostlere; god-daugher Lisa Polkowski, and numerous other family, friends and neighbours.
The family would like to send a special thanks to the admitting doctor and the palliative care staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Their care and compassion towards both Edita and her family was heart felt and greatly appreciated.
A Celebration of Life for Edita will be held at a later date. Should friends so desire, donations made in her memory to George Jeffrey Children’s Centre would be greatly appreciated.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Westfort Chapel, 420 West Gore Street.
Mrs. Edita Plewa, age 83 years, passed away peacefully in Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Friday, April 9, 2021 with her family by her side.
Edita was born on December 13, 1937 in Rostock, Germany to parents, Jozefa Jankowska (mother) and Jan Jankowski (father) before the second world war. Her Polish parents were working at the Polish embassy in Rostock and shortly before the war began, they were expelled back to Poland where they settled in the town of Mianowice. Here Edita would spend her childhood. She was one of 18 siblings in her family and was a good baby. Her mother told her she never cried or fussed even though they had to travel long distances in the cold weather by horse and wagon. When she was older, her family moved to Bialogard where she would stay for the remainder of her years in Poland. Her mother was a midwife and when Edita was old enough she began work at the hospital as well. She was a nurse to new born babies and took her job seriously.
In 1960 she came to Canada to make a better life for herself. She settled in Winnipeg and went to work in a large sewing factory where she trained to become a talented seamstress. She stayed in this line of work for many years before transitioning into a much sought after housekeeper. Edita’s clients adored her and often showered her with gifts to show their appreciation of both her character, and her work ethic.
Edita met her husband Joe in Toronto through mutual friends and married in 1970. They decided to move to Thunder Bay because they loved the area, even though they didn’t know anyone here. In the early years of their marriage they enjoyed fishing and the outdoors together.
One day when Edita was in her late forties, her and two older friends decided it was time they learned to drive. So off they went to write their driving test, and she passed on the first try! Edita never shied away from new challenges and every stage of her life reflected this.
Edita had many friends and was a member of the Ladies Auxillary at the Royal Canadian Polish Legion. At home she was a great hostess. Her house was always spotless with amazing food cooking on the stove. No one ever left her house empty handed, whether it was with food or gifts. She was constantly sending parcels to family and friends out of town and over seas. Her generosity was endless.
Edita respected and admired her parents so much and tried to live by the values they instilled in her. She was small in stature but strong in spirit; a tiny spitfire of a woman. Edita never had any children of her own but loved kids dearly, always showering those around her with love and care. In 1981 she had the privilege to become God-Mother to her friend Irene’s daughter, Lisa. She took this job to heart and became the standard to which all other God-Mothers should live up to. When Lisa had children, Edita treated them as if they were her own grand children, showering Gwen and Dominic with thoughtful gifts and more kisses than one thought possible.
Pancreatic cancer took it’s hold on Edita in the final weeks of her life. The pain she endured is unimaginable, yet this strong tiny woman dealt with it courageously and with decorum.
Edita is survived by her husband of 50 years, Joseph; sister Bogusia Jankowska, best friend and sister Barbara Jankowska; nieces and nephews; Barb Molnar (Rik), Betty Molnar (Grant), Jennifer Ostlere (Kyle), Gianfranco Versace (Haylee); great nephew Blake Molnar (Tamara); great nieces Tiana Normand, Jaiden Normand, Brooklynn Ostlere, Cora Ostlere, and Tylor Ostlere; god-daugher Lisa Polkowski, and numerous other family, friends and neighbours.
The family would like to send a special thanks to the admitting doctor and the palliative care staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Their care and compassion towards both Edita and her family was heart felt and greatly appreciated.
A Celebration of Life for Edita will be held at a later date. Should friends so desire, donations made in her memory to George Jeffrey Children’s Centre would be greatly appreciated.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Westfort Chapel, 420 West Gore Street.