Krystyna (Christine) Szkwarek

After a life well lived, full of determination and survival, Krystyna (Christine) Szkwarek passed away at the age of 87 years on January 31, 2022.

Born in Stanislawow Poland, the youngest of 7 children, Christine and her family endured unimaginable conditions during the Second World War – including arrest by the Soviets, deportation to Siberia, internment and disease, for the sole reason of being Polish.

When Christine’s family was released from the Slave labour camps in Siberia, they travelled out of Siberia the same way they were transported in – by cattle cars. They made their way south, through Kazhakstan to Tehran, Iran. After a short stay in Iran, Christine, her mother and sister were transported to a refugee camp in Uganda where they regained their health and resided for the remainder of the war. After the war Christine briefly attended a school for Refugees, outside of London.

In December 1953, with one suitcase in hand, Christine boarded a ship out of England and immigrated to Canada to reunite with her brother Piotr Grzegorczyk and his family in Port Arthur.

It was there she met her husband, Wladyslaw (Walter) Szkwarek. Walter and Christine were married in St. Casimir’s Church in 1954.

Together Walter and Christine moved to Marathon for work and when they returned to Thunder Bay they opened Top Hat Coffee Shop and Billiard Hall. Once they started their family, they sold their business. Christine and Walter raised two daughters, Basia (Barb) and Alinka (Aileen). They worked hard to ensure their daughters grew up to have the opportunities in life that they never had.

Christine was devout Catholic and member of the Polish Ladies Auxiliary. She and Walter were avid travelers and were actively involved in the local Polish community.
 
She placed great value on education, which she encouraged in her children and grandchildren. Leading by example she attended Confederation College when she was in her late 40’s. She enjoyed the business aspect of being a landlady and working at Sears. Christine not only took pride in her work, but the independence it provided her and the friendships she built while doing so.

Later in life after the passing of her husband, Christine moved to Ottawa to be closer to her daughter Aileen and her husband Mark.

Christine was always grateful of her caring son-in-law Mark Bjorkstedt. She cherished her time with her grandchildren (Evan and Annika Bunkis), of whom she was fiercely proud and always their trusted confidant, encouraging them to pursue their goals.

Three things were extremely important to Christine: her family, which she loved deeply; her friendships, which she cherished; and her faith, which guided her throughout her life.

Christine was predeceased by her husband Walter, siblings, and son-in-law Eriks Bunkis.
 
Christine will be dearly missed by her family, but most of all by her devoted daughter Aileen who has been her advocate, caregiver and companion as her health declined through her last years.

Vigil prayers and visitation will be in the Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street, Sunday, February 6, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. This service will be livestreamed and archived at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca where condolences may be offered as well.

Funeral Services for Christine will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 7, 2022, at St. Casimir Catholic Church, 613 McKenzie Street celebrated by Fr. Piotr Dudek, OMI. Interment will follow in St. Andrew’s Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Christine’s memory to Faye Peterson House in Thunder Bay, Ontario a shelter for women and children experiencing abuse or at risk of abuse.

As directed by the Province of Ontario and the Bereavement Authority of Ontario,  a record of attendance is required by everyone attending the service as well as wearing of masks or face coverings.