Obituary of JANINA WANDA SWIETLIK

JANINA WANDA SWIETLIK 1928-2016 Jan passed away on July 21, 2016. She was peaceful and ready. Jan was born in Rzeszow, Poland, June 24, 1928. She was predeceased by loving parents Tomasz (63) and Teofila (53) and 3 brothers Franciszek (51), Marian (62) and Andrzej (9). At the age of 14, both of Jan’s parents had died. At that point, the motivating force of her life was to survive the German and Russian occupation of Poland (1939 & 1944). She credited a large tribute to her brother, Frank, who facilitated their dramatic escape from Poland to freedom (1946). Frank's daughters, Barbara and Renee, were caring and loving nieces. Arriving in England (1946), Jan pursued education receiving a teaching certificate. With her lifelong passion to teach reading and writing, she came to Canada in 1960, where she acquired her undergraduate degree (McGill, 1965). She taught primary school children in various locations across Canada (1960-1966) and then moved to the Arctic where she taught in Iqaluit (1966-1969), Pond Inlet (1969-1972) and Rankin Inlet (1973-1988). Her life-long mission had been fulfilled: I always knew I wanted to be a teacher; to give children the gift of reading and the love of books. Heartfelt kujannami (thank-you) goes to the Inuit who, for 22 years, accepted her as their own and remained loyal for the past 50 years. Retirement to Winnipeg (1988) offered numerous volunteer opportunities. (St. Amant Centre, Villa Rosa, schools, senior centres). For many years, her condo (55 Nassau) housed her beloved desk, library and vast photo collection. 64 Nassau provided nourishing meals, good company / conversation and joyful events, bursting with energy and laughter. Jan was very thankful for her numerous friends throughout Canada and the world. Children, books and travels fulfilled her long and colourful life. "Pucci", her Arctic dog of l7 years, had been a constant, faithful friend. Sincere thanks to staff at St. Boniface Hospital for their care, especially Ward 7A West. In keeping with Jan’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Interment of ashes will follow in Pond Inlet, Nunavut. There is a land of the living and a land of the dead, and the bridge is LOVE, the only survival, the only meaning. Thornton Wilder