Obituary of Janina Zofia Gebka
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GEBKA, Janina
1932 ~ 2020
With great sadness, the family of Janina Zofia Gebka announce the passing of our dear, sweet mother, peacefully in her home in Saskatoon at age 88. Janina's three surviving children, Margaret (Scott, Samantha & Quinn), Andrew (Lynda) and Gregory embraced her with hugs and kisses as she took her final breath. Janina was predeceased 45 years ago by her beloved husband, Kazimierz Gebka.
Janina was born on February 1st, 1932, in Częstochowa, Poland. She had three siblings: Maria, Jadwiga-Teresa and Kazik, born by parents Antoni and Otylia Grela (all predeceased). Janina married Kazimierz in 1959 and shortly after they immigrated to Canada. Both were excited for an adventurous new life and first settled in Uranium City, Saskatchewan, where Kazimierz worked as a miner. Both loved the outdoors and they spent much time foraging, fishing, boating, hiking and raising three children, who Janina adored and doted over constantly. Janina moved with her husband and young children to Saskatoon in 1973, where they lived and soon after began building a new family home until Kazimierz' sudden passing in 1975. Following her husband's death, Janina took on various jobs as necessary to continue finishing her family home and raising her children. Despite not speaking English fluently or having a driver's license, Janina worked long hours at two jobs for many years as a housekeeping aide until she became seriously ill with colon cancer in 1988. She proudly survived her bout with cancer, though faced numerous other health issues thereafter; more recently a stroke in 2019 and multiple serious infections in 2020.
Janina loved people, especially children and the elderly. She was kind, selfless, hardworking, nonextravagant, devoutly faithful to God, her family and friends. She was an extraordinary cook and baker, always welcoming of guests, and very proud of her Polish heritage. She excelled at sewing, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, beading and other beautiful craft work. Her favourite past times included tending her garden, growing flowers, trips with her children, listening to music and sunbathing on warm summer days.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 at Our Lady of Częstochowa Church, 301 Ave Y South, Saskatoon. Viewing at Westwood Funeral Home, 1402 20th Street West, Saskatoon at 7:00-9:00pm Tuesday September 29th, 2020.
