Janina Kokocinski has been reunited with her late husband, George (Jerzy), on Thursday August 11, 2022 at the age of 98 – just two weeks shy of her 99th birthday.
Janina was born on August 26, 1923 in Belen, Poland, her family moved to Twardow, near Poznan, and they resided there until the outbreak of World War II. In May 1941, Janina and her family were taken to a forced labour camp in Germany. It was there that she met her best friend, and future husband, Jerzy (George) Kokocinski. After the war, Janina and George were taken to a displaced persons camp in Fallingbostel, Germany. During their three-year stay in Fallingbostel, they were married at one of the barracks that had been converted into a Catholic church. They were then transferred to another displaced person camp in Rehden, Germany where they remained until 1949. During these four years, Janina went to high school, took some teaching courses and leadership courses. She also taught Polish children, looked after youth in the summer camp, was a Girl Guide leader, and organized many different church holiday activities. These leadership experiences carried over to later life when she established and taught Saturday Polish school at the Polish Alliance of Canada Hall, Branch 19, in Thunder Bay, while at the same time establishing and organizing the first youth choir at St. Mary’s Queen of Poland Church. She loved to sing and was so proud to be a part of the Polish Millennium choir in 1966.
In October 1949, Janina and George left Germany and departed on a new life adventure in Canada, for a one-year contract as domestics in Oakville, Ontario. This was another life changing event in her life…speaking no English and never having left the European continent. Their domestic contract extended for an additional four years, while her husband who continued to work as a domestic, also became a full time student and graduated with a degree in forestry from the University of Toronto.
After George graduated the family moved to Port Arthur, Ontario. Immediately, the family became actively involved with the local Polish community and the Polish Catholic church. Then in 1967, George was transferred to Dryden, Ontario. It was here that Janina became immersed in the English language, developed her love of gardening, cooking and entertaining. She became an active member of the Catholic Women’s League at St. Joseph’s Church, volunteered her time at the Dryden General Hospital, and also brought some Polish culture to St. Joseph’s Catholic School, where she taught students Polish Folk dance for the yearly school festival. She made many friends in Dryden, had weekly coffee get togethers, played bridge and participated in yoga classes.
The family moved to Thunder Bay in 1973. It did not take Janina long to become actively involved with the Polish community. She served as the President of the Polish Ladies’ Circle, Branch 19, for thirteen years (1976-1989). She was also instrumental in collecting and sending clothing and much needed supplies to Poland during the time of Solidarity. Janina was a member of the Multicultural Association of Thunder Bay and became chairperson of the Polish Refugee Committee.
Janina was well loved by all that knew her. She was very family oriented - to her, family came first. She will be sadly missed by her three children, Henry (Laura) of Thunder Bay, Ontario; Dave (Orlene) of Port Hope, Ontario; and Helen (Tom McKay) of Alicante, Spain, her seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly. Janina is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews in Poland. She was predeceased by her husband, Jerzy (George) of Thunder Bay, Ontario; her parents, Wojciech and Marianna Naskrecki, five brothers and three sisters of Poland; and one brother from British Columbia.
The family wishes to thank all the staff at Sister Leila Greco and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for the care, compassion and friendship they provided to Janina.
There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. A Funeral Service will take place for Janina at St. Mary’s Polish Church on Friday, August 26th beginning at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
