Maria BYCZYK
Tuesday January 19, 2021
BYCZYK, Maria Rosalia (nee Zygmunt) (1927-2021) – surrounded by her loving family at the Norview Lodge, Simcoe on Tuesday, January 19th, 2021 in her 94th year. Beloved wife of the late Jan Krys (1953) and Jozef Byczyk (1987). Loving mother of Janina Juric (late Arsen – 2016) of Simcoe, Krystyna Bednarski (late Marjan – 1992) of Atikokan, Emilia Byczyk (Eric Clarke) of Simcoe, Ryszard Byczyk (Donna) of Simcoe and the late Stefan Byczyk (1995). Cherished grandmother & great grandmother of Adrian Juric; Dr. Tanja Juric (Scott Strong), children Duncan & Ruby; Kaz Bednarski (Patti); Kara Osborne (Shawn), daughter Alexandra; Zenon Bednarski (Jess), son Xavier; Josef Bednarski (Caitlan); Tony Clarke (Jennifer), children Jordan, Haley & Kayla; Shawna Byczyk (Colin), children Jaxon & Noah; Stefan Byczyk (Victoria); and Samuel Lapointe. Maria was born Feb 6, 1927 in Debno, Poland. The oldest of 6 children, their lives were forever changed by the cruelties of WWII. Nazis ripped Maria, only 15, away from her family, transporting her to Germany as a slave labourer. Imprisoned in a factory basement for 4 years, Maria sewed parachutes. After being liberated by American soldiers, she spent 6 years in a Displaced Persons Camp (Wildflecken). In 1951, Maria, her first husband Jan and daughter, Janina set sail for New York. Years later, Maria married Josef Byczyk at the Canadian Border and welcomed 4 more children. Northern Ontario was home for 26 years – Sapawe, Atikokan and Thunder Bay before settling in Simcoe (last 40 years). A true survivor, Maria, a woman of strength and determination, searched for her lost Polish family for over 13 years. On finding them, she delightedly sponsored her 4 siblings and families to join her in Canada! All of Maria’s siblings predeceased her, but she was so thankful of the time they had together. Maria proudly participated in the Ladies Circle of the Polish Alliance of Canada, both in Thunder Bay and Delhi. Maria jumped industriously into new challenges in three different countries and two continents, no less. Learning new languages, forever flavouring future generations with her fruitful search for family ties and freedom serving as a personal example of how a determined spirit can surely shape success, despite sorrows and struggles of all sorts, teaching that friends are fun and fine, but family is forever what matters most in this brief flame of lifetime that we each have. Due to covid restrictions, a private family visitation & funeral service will be held at the JASON SMITH FUNERAL CHAPEL, 689 Norfolk St. North Simcoe N3Y 3R3 with Rev. Fr. Robert Weaver as celebrant. Interment: Oakwood Cemetery, Simcoe. Those wishing to donate in memory of Maria are asked to consider the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Society of H-N. Please mail all donations to the funeral home. Personal online condolences at www.smithfuneralchapel.com (519) 426-0199
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Maria BYCZYK 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Simcoe, Province: Ontario