Krystyna Stanislawa (Jarzabek) Wawer
Passed in: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: December 1st, 2014
Krystyna Stanislawa (Jarzabek) Wawer, 94, passed away peacefully Dec. 1, 2014 in Northwood Guest Home, Halifax.
Born in Dobrzyn, Poland, the younger of two children, she was the daughter of the late Stefan and Aniela (Konkow) Jarzabek.
Krystyna grew up in a home filled with love, mischief, music and the arts. It was not unusual for a Noble Laureate to drop by for cards and conversation in her home. Her carefree teenage years came to an abrupt end with the coming of the Second World War and her transportation as a prisoner of war to Germany to work as slave labour on the farms. After the war she stayed in Germany and worked with the United Nations relief and rehabilitation administration, French zone, until 1947.
With her sense of adventure and wry sense of humour she decided to boldly strike off on her own and made her way to Canada in 1948. From Pier 21 in Halifax she traveled to Winnipeg and eventually graduated from the Saint Boniface School for Practical Nursing. In was in Winnipeg that she met and married her beloved husband Adolf. She was passionate about her children and her friends; her kitchen "care packages" fed many a hungry university student and her dinner parties were second to none. She was a consummate backwoods forager before it became trendy and spent many hours tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. In later years Alzheimer’s took her nimble mind but her kindness remained.
She is survived by her children: Dr. Maria Wawer (Dr. Ronald Gray), Baltimore; Dr. Ursula Wawer (Dr. Robert Coffin), Osoyoos BC, Dr. Andrew (Karen) Wawer, North Sydney, NS and her beloved grandchildren, Dr Alexander Wawer, North Sydney, Max Wawer, Halifax and Elzbieta Wawer at home.
She was predeceased by her husband, Adolf; her sister, Halina Brochoska and her nephew, Woltek Brochoski, Poland.
Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation at the request of the family. Funeral mass will take place at 10 a.m. on Dec. 19th at St Joseph’s Church, North Sydney.
Special thanks to the staff at Northwood for the great care they have given over the past few years and especially to Cindy her personal caregiver.
Donations in her name may be given to Northwood Terrace Halifax.
To view or place an online condolence, please visit: www.cruikshankhalifaxfuneralhome.com.
"A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take."
