Obituary of IRENA LEOKADIA HUNKA

IRENA LEOKADIA HUNKA

December 20, 1925 – September 10, 2021

With deep sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother and mother in law Irena on Sept. 10, 2021 at the Grace Hospice at the age of 95. Irena is lovingly remembered by her sons George (Jolanta) and Ryszard. She was predeceased by her husband Emil of 65 years in May 2021 as well as her mother Gertuda Woloszynska in 1973, father Czeslaw in 1961 and brother Czeslaw in 1946. Irena was born in Poland 1925 in Piekary Slaskie and lived in Radzionkow in southern Poland.

Her happy childhood was disrupted in 1939 by the outbreak of WWII. Her family fled east to live with relatives in Lwow. Shortly thereafter Lwow was occupied by the Red Army. In 1940 her family was transported to a Siberian labour camp where everyone over 16 years of age was required to work in the forest cutting down trees. From there she was sent to a forced labour camp in Uzbekistan, where her family experienced severe famine. In 1942 Irena and her family were evacuated to Persia, then to India and then to Uganda to a Polish refugee camp in Masindi where Irena lived with her mother for the next 8 years. In the early 50s Irena immigrated to Canada and settled in Winnipeg where she met her husband Emil and started a family.

Irena worked as a nurse’s aide at Tache Hospital for over 30 years. She was a devoted and loving mother and wife. We will always cherish the memories of her delicious family Sunday dinners. She loved spending summers with her family camping at the Whiteshell, making yearly road trips to the Rocky Mountains and in her later years enjoying cottage life at Twin Beaches. In winter she enjoyed cross country skiing. She was an avid reader of classic literature and loved music and art. She was also a prolific letter writer and corresponded with friends from all over the world.

Irena’s kindness and happy outlook on life made her many lifelong friends. Throughout her life she was sustained by her profound faith in God.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Grace Hospice, nurses and staff of WRHA Palliative Care and Partners for Home Care for their support and compassionate care.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Sept. 21 at St. Ignatius Church with interment to follow in Holy Ghost Cemetery. In memory or Irena donations can be made to Grace Hospital Foundation.