Krystyna Rubkiewicz

January 16, 1929-December 28, 2022

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful, with her daughter at her side, passing of our beloved Mama, Krystyna Rubkiewicz (in Kamloops, British Columbia) at the age of 93, on December 28, 2022.

Krystyna was reunited with the love of her life, Henryk, who predeceased her in 2010.

She was predeceased by her parents Janina and Zygmunt, sisters Irena and Helena (Henryk), parents in law Stefania and Waclaw, sister-in-law Grazyna (Zdzislaw) and brother-in-law Henryk, all of them of Poland as well as her baby grandson Thomas of Kamloops, BC.

Krystyna is survived by her daughter Ewa (Vincent), her son Janusz (Basia), granddaughter Kasia (Justin), great granddaughters Klaudia and Sofia as well as grandson Lucas (Shana). She is also survived by her sister-in-law Nela of Lodz, Poland.

Krystyna was born in in Czestochowa, Poland on January 16, 1929. She was the youngest of three sisters.

She finished Agriculture University in Poznan, Poland and worked in the food quality assurance field. She was a very good cook, skier, ping-pong and volleyball player.

She met her husband while going on a ski vacation in the Polish Tatra mountains. They got married in 1959, settled in Poznan, Poland and later had son Janusz and daughter Ewa.

Life in a communist country was difficult but both parents looked after the family, provided food and necessities of life. They enjoyed taking the family for summer vacation to Polish Baltic Sea or hiking in Polish mountains.

She and Henryk had an unbelievable green thumb and spent hours tending to their community garden in Poland.

Krystyna and Henryk loved to travel (as much as the communist system allowed) and managed a few trips in Europe. But once the children moved to Canada, all of their travels were to visit the children and grandchildren.

She was very committed to her family and was very devoted wife and mother. She bravely provided excellent care to her husband when he was gravely sick.

In 2013 three years after Henryk’s death, Krystyna, at the age of 85, made the brave move to a new country, Canada, to live and be lovingly cared for by her daughter and son-in-law.

In Kamloops, she enjoyed meeting new people and speaking to them in her native Polish, shopping, going for coffee, ice-cream, drives and walks, particularly in MacArthur Island Park. She enjoyed visits with her grandchildren and great granddaughters. With her daughter’s help she also discovered internet shopping. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, watching TV in her native language and listening to her Polish CD collection. She loved to share Polish chocolates when going to various medical appointments.

The last year of her life Krystyna spent in Gemstone Care Centre. The wonderful staff became her friends and we are very grateful for this. They had lots of fun receiving Mama’s daily fashion advice.

Mama’s passing has left a tremendous void in our lives, but we all take solace in knowing she is at peace and is experiencing no more pain and is watching over us from Heaven.

Daughter Ewa and son-in-law Vincent would like to thank Dr. Armstrong and Dr. Howie for looking after Mama’s health during her 10 years in Canada. Also, thanks to all the caregivers from Interior Health and Gemstone Care Centre for all their support, kindness and care Mama received. Sincere thanks to HandyDart service and its wonderful drivers. This service improved quality of her life when she was in a wheelchair.

Family and friends can say goodbye to Krystyna on Thursday, April 20, 2023.

The Reverend Father Derrick Cameron will celebrate the Catholic Funeral Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral at 11:00 a.m. The burial will follow at Pleasant Street Cemetery. There will be a light lunch reception at daughter’s house following the service.

Spoczywaj w pokoju Mamo

(Rest in Peace Mama)

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