Julia SIOMKAJLO

SZYPOWSKI, Julia (nee SIOMKAJLO) September 10, 1922 - September 7, 2007 Veteran of WWII Women's Auxiliary Air Force of the RAF, Polish Division. Passed away at home in the arms of her loved ones on Friday, September 7, 2007. Beloved wife of 60 years of Michal. Devoted and loving mother of Tadzio Ted and Krysia Krystyna. She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Patrick (Natalie) and Ryan (Jillian); her great- granddaughters Kaileigh and Leanna. Survived by her sister Stanislawa SM Alice of the Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Paris, France. She will always be fondly remembered by her family (here and in Europe), friends, and all who knew her. Everyone will miss her delicious pierogi and her beautiful crochet work. No wife or mother was ever more loving or loved. Special thanks go to Nurse Lin James and the wonderful PSW team at ParaMed who contributed to her care and comfort during her illness. Julia had a full life, filled with moments of great joy as well as moments of great sorrow and hardship. When Russia invaded Poland at the onset of WWII, the Russians deported her to Siberia along with her elderly parents and siblings, and approx. 2 million Poles. For weeks they were locked into an unheated cattle car in the dead of winter as the train brought them deeper into the depths of the USSR. She and her siblings were slave labourers in a gold mine for over 2 years, and five members of her family remain in unmarked graves in Siberia. When they were finally released, she and 3 remaining sisters had another harrowing journey ahead of them, with few provisions, until they finally reached freedom in Persia (Iran). After regaining some of their strength they made a further journey to Kidugala, a refugee camp in Tanzania, East Africa. A year later, she made another incredible journey from East Africa to England, at a time when ships were regularly being torpedoed and sunk. In England she joined the WAAF and worked in aircraft maintenance until the end of the war. By this time, Poland was swallowed up in the Communist axis, so she no longer had a country to return to. After meeting and marrying Michal, the two set off on another incredible journey to a new life in Canada. They spent the first 22 years in Montreal, and then settled in Kingston, where they have lived for 36 years. Family and friends will be received at the TOWNSHIP CHAPEL of the GORDON F. TOMPKINS FUNERAL HOMES, 435 Davis Drive (Centennial Drive and Taylor Kidd Blvd.), (613) 546-5150 on Friday, September 14th from 2-4 & 7-9 pm. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph's Church, 392 Palace Road, on Saturday, September 15th at 11:00 am. Cremation to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Alzheimer's Society would be greatly appreciated. 10819202