Obituary of SOPHIA VIRGINIA ROMANOWSKI

Sophia Virginia Romanowski

(Nee Bartnicki)

 June 19, 1933 - November 16, 2024

Sophia Romanowski (nee Bartnicki) age 91, beloved Mother, Babcia and Pra Babcia passed away peacefully at Vista Park Lodge with family by her side. We are saddened but deeply grateful for the lifetime of memories she gifted us. She will be deeply missed and her spirit will live on in the hearts of those who loved her.

Born in Winnipeg to Leokadia and Adam, Mom was a loving sister to her older brother Archie. Raised proudly in the Polish community, she lived a life of love, faith, hard work, and dedication to her family.

Sophia worked in an administrative role in an insurance company before meeting and marrying the love of her life George Romanowski in 1951. They met at a dance and as he gathered up the fallen pearls from her broken necklace, he won her heart. They celebrated 69 years of marriage before George’s passing in 2020. Together, they patiently raised 5 children and basked in the joy that 6 grandchildren brought to their lives. They often travelled to visit family across Canada and around the world. They were passionately involved with their church and community.

Mom relished family gatherings around her table and cooked delicious meals for all occasions. Her specialty was traditional Polish food, and borscht was one of her many specialities. Her greatest passions were gardening, baking, sewing and knitting lovely creations for family, and even for her pets.

An enthusiastic sports fan all her life, Sophie enjoyed watching The Jets and The Bombers play most of their games.  Throughout her children’s lives, she was their biggest fan and cheered on each child in whatever sport or interest they pursued.

Mom could often be seen laughing with her friends as she made perogies for the Krakow pavilion during Folklorama.  She enjoyed watching Polish dance and listening to the choir.  It brought back happy memories of her early days dancing and singing and she loved to see her daughter continue the Polish dance tradition. Faith was important to Mom and she was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Parish and active in the Catholic Woman’s League.  

As a volunteer when her children were young, she assisted in school bake sales and other school events.     When her youngest was a teen, she went back to work for Pennington’s and then later Sears where she loved to assist people with their purchases. 

Sophia was predeceased by her infant daughter Christine, parents Adam and Leokadia Bartnicki, her husband George, and her brother Archie.  Sophia joins them all in a grand reunion celebration in the sky. She is the last of her generation in our family.

Sophia will be missed by her 5 children. She will be lovingly remembered by her sons Ronald (Liliana), Ed (Alice), Richard (Nadeia), and Paul (Dawn), and her daughter Jan (Bill). Babcia will be remembered and treasured by her 6 grandchildren, Kyle, Coen (Verity), Meghan (Alex), Ryan, Bridget and Christian (Madison) and as a Pra Babcia (great grandmother) by her great granddaughter Evelyne. 

In her last years, Mom struggled with dementia, and if not for the support of loving family, friends and the compassion of caregivers in her community, at Concordia Hospital, Harmony Court and then at Vista Park Lodge Nursing Home, she could not have lived and loved as long or as well as she did. The family would like to thank everyone for their compassionate care of our Mom.  Her legacy of love will live on through her family.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 250 Burrin Avenue on Friday, November 22, 2024 at 11:00 AM officiated by Father Dominic Yuen.  A reception will follow mass.  If you are able to join us in person or will be with us in spirit, please wear some purple or pink, Mom’s favourite colours.  Interment will be a private family event. 

Our Mom loved dogs and they brought her so much joy.  In lieu of flowers, if so desired, please make a donation to MB Underdogs Rescue (The dogs visited the residents of Harmony Court often) or Cancer Care in memory of her daughter Christine.

Rest in peace Mom, and say “Hi” to Dad.