Obituary of LEOKADIA LUCY VICTOR

LEOKADIA LUCY VICTOR (NEE KOLANO) On April 30 2014 at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, Leokadia Victor, beloved wife of John Victor, passed away at the age of 78 years. Besides her husband John, she is survived by her daughters, Christine, Helen and Irene; her sons, Anthony and Stanley (Brenda); and her grandchildren, Lee, Jake, Zack, Travis, Samantha, Amber and Jaclyn. She also leaves to mourn her sister Cecilia and many other friends and relatives in Canada, USA, England, Poland, South Africa and Australia. She was predeceased by her parents, Julia and Jozef Kolano, and her brothers, Adolf and Bonifacy. Leokadia was born in Horbkow, Poland. Her family was forced from their farm in 1940 because of circumstances related to the Second World War. They were exiled to a labour camp in northern Russia where her two brothers passed away. After an amnesty was declared in 1941, they migrated to Uzbekistan and then to Iraq, Iran and eventually, India. While training with the Polish forces in Iraq, Leokadia’s father succumbed to illness. Leokadia, Cecilia and their mother, Julia, then travelled to a Polish refugee camp in Koja, Uganda where they lived from 1942 to 1948. From there, they moved to the Fairford Polish Hostel in England where they resided until 1956. With some uncertainty, they accepted sponsorship from extended family in Winnipeg, and immigrated to Canada. Ultimately, Canada provided Leokadia with more opportunity than she dreamed of. In Winnipeg, she met her loving husband, John, also of Polish origin, whose war time experiences paralleled her own. All their children and grandchildren were born in Winnipeg, and the family embraced the Canadian culture and experience. Leokadia was a devoted wife, mother and friend, and always gave freely of herself. The family home reflected her warmth, friendliness, creativity and vitality. The sense of adventure she developed in her early years always remained with her, and she enjoyed travelling, cycling, skiing, camping and, especially, summer days at the family cottage in Steep Rock. Her spirituality and faith were ever present in her life, and provided her the courage and strength to endure the difficult times, yet still appreciate the good. We are thankful for Leokadia’s caregivers, past and present. We are especially thankful for the loving care she provided us during all her years. Prayers will be at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street on Sunday, May 4 at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at St. Andrew Bobola Church, 541 Marion Street on Monday, May 5 at 10:00 am, followed by interment at Glen Lawn Memorial Gardens. A luncheon will follow in the reception centre. In lieu of flowers, your prayers and thoughts are appreciated.