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Obituary of Stasia Lubanski
Beloved Mamcia, Babcia, Babus, Stasia Lubanski, passed away on March 13, 2025, surrounded in faith and love. We will forever miss her wit, resilience, independence, love, faith, impeccable style, treats and generosity.
Though we mourn her death with broken hearts, we find comfort in knowing that she has been reunited with her husband John (Janusz), parents Petronela and Piotr Kazimowicz, brother Joseph (Flora).
Stasia was born on a sunny Sunday, September 18, 1932 in Bolszowsca, Eastern Poland. She often reminisced of ice cream from her parent’s store, and playing in the wildflowers surrounding her home.
On February 10, 1940 in the middle of the night, this ideal was shattered, as Russian forces stormed her home, forcibly deporting her and her family by cattle car to the gulags of Siberia. Enduring disease and starvation, through faith in God, the Poles were finally allowed to leave under an “amnesty”. For eight months they travelled from Siberia, through Asia, to Persia. Stasia always spoke of the kindness of the people, as they stopped in refugee camps along the way. Once in Persia, her father and brother joined the Polish Forces under General Andres. Petronela was left alone to protect a very sick, Stasia. Thanks to the efforts of her older cousin, Staszek, they found themselves bound for the first Polish refugee camp in Kidugali, Tanganika, Africa. Despite the culture shock, Stasia quickly adapted, climbing trees, growing flowers, playing with her pet monkey, singing, practicing her needlework, and learning some Swahili.
Finally in 1948, the family was reunited in England. Upon her father’s death a short time later, the family settled in Birmingham, where they purchased a boarding house. It was here, that Staszek, brought an army buddy, Janusz Lubanski. John immediately fell in love, much to Stasia’s dismay! However, with John’s good looks, manners and persistence the couple married in 1951. Together with Petronela, their children, Terri (Alan Holody) and Roman (Fern Duarte), the family moved to St. Catharines in 1957, and quickly became very involved in the Polish Community. Stasia was a devoted member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and the Royal Canadian Legion, Br. 418. Once Regina Szymanski (Dan) started school, Stasia took her passion for “the finer things” literally to work, at the Fashion Shoppe and Birks.
Love for her grandchildren was boundless. She joked that her grandchildren, Erik Holody (Julie Bergeron), Stasia Hrynyk (Chris), Jon (Laura Lysecki) and Diana Lubanski (Danny Murray), Peter (Shelby) and Alana Szymanski, were so special, she should have had them first. Babcia’s love knew no bounds, surrounding them with love wherever life took them. Her noodles with browned butter, French toast crunch cereal, warm milk, butter, sugar and boozy fruit salad were favourites at regular sleepovers.
Babus’ love grew as she welcomed great-grandchildren, Xavier Holody, Calvin and Ada Lubanski, Lily and Baby Boy-to-be Szymanski, always perking up to their sweet voices, and getting a “Big One”.
Many thanks to the Augustyn sisters and PSW’s, who enabled Stasia to live her life on her own terms, Stephanie and Linda for their support and kindness in her final hours.
As Stasia lived with the trauma of war, in lieu of flowers, please donate to Doctors without Borders.
In keeping with her wishes, funeral arrangements have been entrusted with the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME, 585 Carlton St., St. Catharines. The family welcomes guests for a time of gathering on Wednesday, March 19th from 10:00 – 11:00am in the funeral home before a 11:30am Funeral Mass to be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help followed by Rite of Committal at Victoria Lawn Cemetery with reception afterwards.
1932 2025
Death notice for the town of: St- Catharines, Province: Ontario
death notice Stasia
Lubanski 1932 2025
obituaries notice Stasia
Lubanski 1932 2025
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Stasia
Lubanski 1932 2025 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
