JOANNE “JANINA” SZELAGOWSKI passed away peacefully in Lethbridge on Sunday, September 4, 2011 at the age of 80 years. Joanne is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, John, her two daughters: Janet (Tyler) Cook and Barbara (Peter) Ziegler of Lethbridge; five grandchildren: Jennifer (Michael) Brunelle, Cheryl (Charles) Smith, Ryan Cook, Kimberly and Stephanie Ziegler; two great grandchildren: Kayla and Alyssa Brunelle. Joanne is also survived by three sisters from Calgary: Czeslawa Balcerzak, Jadwiga (Kazimierz) Kowalewski, and Anna Black; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Jacob Bender and Maria Bender-Trot. Joanne was born in Sitaniec-Zamosc, Poland on January 27, 1931. She lived in this small village until 1943 when her entire family was sent to an internment camp in Salzburg, Austria by the German army. After the war, the family continued to live in a refugee camp in Salzburg before immigrating to Canada. The family landed at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia on June 23, 1948. They resided in the Stirling area working sugar beets until her family moved to Lethbridge. It was here that she met the love of her life, John, and they were married in St. Patrick’s Church on September 2, 1950. She worked at the Galt Hospital until the birth of her first child and in later years worked in the laundry at Park Plaza Hotel.

Joanne was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She had belonged to the CWL and was a devout Catholic. Her greatest joys in her life were cooking and baking for her family. There was no end to her caring and generosity to both family and friends. Joanne always put her wants and needs behind those of her family. She also enjoyed babysitting, traveling, gardening, socializing with friends, and long strolls with John. In later years, John was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and she devoted herself to caring for him up until her fight with cancer was lost. Joanne’s kindness and friendliness will always be remembered by both family and friends. A Prayer Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, on Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 7:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 - 12 Avenue South, Lethbridge, on Friday, September 9, 2011 at 11:30 am with Reverend John Kohler officiating. Interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined. In memory of Joanne, donations may be made to the Jack Ady Cancer Centre, Chinook Regional Hospital, 960 - 19 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 1W5. 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