MRS. KAZIMIERA KOLODZIEJ, beloved wife of Mr. Adolf Kolodziej of Lethbridge, passed away at the St. Michael’s Palliative Care Unit on Thursday, September 23, 2010, at the age of 80 years.
Besides her loving husband, Adolf, Kay is survived by her sister Janina, her children; Elizabeth, Christopher (Grazyna) and Lilian (Cam) as well as 3 grandchildren; Andrea (Michael), Ryan and Kaitlynn. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Kay was a survivor of the Polish Holocaust suffered in WWII. During the war she was uprooted several times, first in 1940 when she was transported to Siberia by the Soviets, then again in 1942 when she left Siberia as a refugee and landed in Africa where she completed her schooling and remained until 1948. She formed many strong friendships during this time which lasted throughout her lifetime and resulted in many “African Camps” reunions.
After spending a year in England, she and her sister boarded the H.M.S. Acquitania in 1949 headed for Montreal. On board she met a young man named Adolf Kolodziej who was going to Lethbridge where he had a job with the P.F.R.A. They kept up a correspondence and eventually she agreed to become his wife. They were married in Lethbridge on March 31, 1951 and in 1952 along came Betty, Chris in 1953, and Lilian in 1957.
Kay was the ultimate homemaker and her pride and joy was her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved to entertain; there was many a dinner party throughout their marriage and elaborate New Year’s Eve dinner and dances at the house where she showcased her wonderful cooking and sewing talents. In later years she used her sewing skills to work for Ducan Industries.
She was an active member of the Polish Canadian Association and the Catholic Women’s League for over 50 years as well as being a longtime member of the choir at Assumption Catholic Church. She had a beautiful voice. In her younger days she and her younger sister often sang at many social functions. After her marriage she was often a soloist at various functions for the Polish Canadian Association.
She was devoted to her family, her church and her new country, Canada. She was also very proud of her Polish heritage and was very vocal in expressing her WWII experience. That chapter in her life developed a person who endured but who was also very compassionate. She always thought of the needs of others above herself.
A Prayer Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta, on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at 7:00 P.M.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 - 12th Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta, on Thursday, September 30, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Tim Boyle, Celebrant.
Interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver, 14 Connaught Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M6C 2S7, or to the Canadian Cancer Society, 317-10th Street South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 2M7.
Honoured to serve the family, CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B1. Telephone (403) 381-7777. E-mail: care@cornerstonefh.ca
