CHACINSKI, Alicja - It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our mother Alicja Chacinski on March 23, 2024 at the age of 97.
Mum was born in Warsaw, Poland on February 4, 1927.
She was predeceased by husband Waclaw 58 years ago, and is survived by sons Vince (Kim), Roman (Leni), Peter (Donna), and grandchildren Alexandra, Kate (Aaron), and Michael. Generous, feisty, compassionate, courageous, resilient, fiercely independent, and most of all, loving describe this remarkable woman.
Alicja was 12 years old when World War II broke out. One day at the age of 16, she was at a railway station in Warsaw going to visit her aunt. She never made it.
She was taken away by enemy soldiers to work in various labour camps in Germany, never to see her family again.
Ironically this saved her life. Had she stayed in Warsaw, she likely would have perished along with her family and friends about a year later when Warsaw was bombed during the Warsaw Uprising.
There was a second time she avoided death. While working in a salvage depot, she developed an excruciating earache.
The foreman took pity on her and sent her to the hospital. A few hours after she left, the salvage depot was bombed killing all of her co-workers.
When the war ended, she ended up in a refugee camp in southern Germany where she married dad, and gave birth to Vince and Roman.
It was clear to mum that there was no future for the family in Germany, so our family of four immigrated to Toronto. This is where she gave birth to Peter. Life was getting good until the sudden passing of our dad when he was only 42.
She took on various jobs and rented rooms in our house and did whatever she could to ensure that we were never hungry or cold.
After her three boys left home, mum sold her Toronto home and moved to Ajax where she spent the last and best 35 years of her life. Mum loved the outdoors, especially fishing.
She lived for her grandchildren and adored them as they adored her. She was loved by all who crossed paths with her. She was a real fighter right to the very end.
A heart felt thank you to the amazing management and staff at the Lakeridge Gardens Long Term Care Home where she was continuously stimulated, entertained, and cared for.
Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Alicja are asked to consider the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
Arrangements with McEacnie Funeral Home.
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