Obituary Overview
In Loving Memory
Danuta Pietrewicz passed away peacefully on July 25, 2018 at the Dorothy Ley Hospice in Etobicoke Ontario, Canada.
Born in Malewice, Poland, she is the daughter of Antonina (née Werpachowska) and Medard, sister of Teresa, Halina, Krystyna and Władek; wife of Zdzisław and later Piotr, mother of Dariusz (“Darek”), Jarosław (“Jarek”), Barbara (“Basia”) and Andrzej (Jo-Ann); grandmother/Babcia of Daniel, Jasmine, Holly (Matt) and Solenne; great-grandmother/Prababcia of Divya; Step-grandmother of Katie-Ann (Dan), and friend to so many. Danuta was also deeply beloved by her furry companion Lucky.
She was a teacher of deaf children for 21 years in Poland and was recognized nationally for her innovation in the area of rhythm and dance curriculum for deaf students. Amidst deteriorating economic and political conditions in Poland, including the onset of martial law and threat of occupation, Danuta emigrated with her husband and children from Olecko, Poland to the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Canada in 1979.
Her determination to establish a new life in Canada typified the immigrant experience, including her tireless hustle at various jobs outside of her accredited profession while attending school to learn English. For example, she took on various positions as a hotel maid, cocktail waitress, restaurant server, private house cleaner, factory worker and others – these were typically part-time positions which she held simultaneously and which involved oddly-timed shifts and considerable travel on public transit.
As her proficiency in English grew quickly, she found work as a legal aid clinic interpreter and immigration counsellor, and eventually as a social worker with the City of Toronto, where she worked for 18 years until her retirement. As an indication of her pragmatic drive and resourcefulness, within three years of arriving to Canada with four children and no prior knowledge of the English language, Danuta was able to buy her first home, a townhouse in Applewood Heights, Mississauga. She would subsequently own several different homes and properties, including in Toronto, Mississauga, Southgate, and Holland Centre.
Danuta loved the outdoors, gardening, organic farming, real estate, music, singing, dancing and family. Her love was boundless and her hospitality and over-abundant meals were legendary. She was also a close follower of the news and had a seemingly encyclopedic knowledge of the lives of news anchors.
Her family extends its deepest thanks to the Palliative Care team at Trillium Hospital and to the staff at the Dorothy Ley hospice, where she was treated with the utmost dignity, compassion and care.
Danuta will be missed by all who knew and loved her; she touched the lives of so many and her legacy will live on in the memories we all share. A deeply religious woman, we take comfort knowing that Danuta is finally at peace and in God’s care.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Dorothy Ley Hospice in Danuta’s memory.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Danuta Pietrewicz Nee Palikowska 2018.source
Décès pour la Ville: Mississauga, Province: Ontario
