It is with great sadness, the family of Maria Syposz announce her passing on May 11, 2016.
Born on November 20, 1924 in the Province of Warsaw, Poland the 2nd of 3 daughters to Franciszek and Bronislawa Pietrucha.
As a young girl she recalled a very happy farm life surrounded by family and cousins, in spite of the death of her father when she was only 3.
During the war she was sent to Germany along with her younger sister Henryka as slave farm labour. After the war she received word from her oldest sister that her mother had died and there was nothing to come home to.
She and her sister immigrated to Canada to work in a textile factory in Quebec, and they eventually came to the Thunder Bay area where she met her husband John. They were married in 1949, and in 1953, together with her sister and brother-in-law Chester Nowak, began farming on their property later known as Riverdale Market Garden.
She worked extremely hard on the farm while raising her 3 children Henryk, Benedykt and Alina, until her husband’s passing in 1982. Her role then became that of a loving matriarch to 3 generations.
Her family were gifted with her selfless love and untiring generosity. Above all she loved her family, making pierogies and chocolate chip muffins to be enjoyed by all.
Her loss will be grieved by her son Henryk Syposz, daughter-in-law Diane Syposz, son Dr. Benedykt Syposz, daughter-in-law Dr. Janet Still, Alina Robertson, son-in-law Tom Robertson, 9 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren, her sister Henryka Nowak, and other family here and in Poland.
Visitation at Blake Funeral Chapel at 200 South May St. on Monday May 16 at 6:30 p.m. with prayers at 7:00 p.m.
Funeral mass will be held at St. Casimir’s Church at 613 McKenzie St. on Tuesday May 17 at 10:00 a.m. Interment at Mountain View Cemetery will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Thunder Bay Chapter of The Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.
Maria Syposz will be remembered in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 11, 2017.
