Danuta Wiacek
April 7, 1939 ~ November 8, 2013
Danuta was born in Poland on April 7, 1939 on a farm near Polanowka, now part of the Ukraine. After suffering many hardships in her early years during and after the Second World War, including the loss of her father and brother, she reached the safety of England with her mother in January 1948. In England she completed her secondary school certificate at a Polish boarding school in Pitsford, Northampton, and then attended a secretarial school in Enfield. In 1958 she began working as a stenographer. As a young adult Danuta enjoyed dancing with friends at Polish clubs, where she met Marian on December 29, 1962. Love bloomed quickly and Danuta and Marian wed on July 27, 1963 in London. Family life soon followed with the arrival of Andrew, Richard and Helen over the span of four years.
The family moved to Montreal, Quebec in 1974, and then to Mississauga, Ontario in 1979. The family became Canadian citizens in 1980. In 1988, Danuta and Marian moved to Holliston, Massachusetts where they spent many hours planning their retirement in the Kootenays. The couple bought property near Sanca, British Columbia in 1993, on which they built their dream log home overlooking Kootenay Lake. Full-time life in the Kootenays began in 1997. The couple soon developed and cherished many special friendships in their new community.
Danuta was a vibrant, energetic and caring woman. She devoted her life to her family, friends and garden! She cherished her grandchildren deeply, and became immensely important in their lives. Her home was always open and inviting, and always filled with delicious home-made cakes and jams. After 17 years of happiness and fulfilled dreams in the Kootenays, Danuta passed away following a short battle with cancer. In her final days, she expressed gratitude for having lived a full life, and was at peace. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by family and friends.
Danuta is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Marian; children Andrew (partner Charlene Bailey), Richard (wife Robin Gutsell) and Helen (husband Nick Fowler); grandchildren Matthew, Daniel, Heather and Caitlyn; sister Zosia (husband Bill Riddell); and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces in Poland.
She is predeceased by her father Stanislaw Binieda, mother Regina (Binieda) Roznowska, brother Ryszard Binieda, step-father Tadeusz Roznowski and daughter-in-law-Monica Scarabello.
A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at G.F. Oliver Funeral Chapel with Guy Roy Celebrant.
In lieu of flowers and other gifts, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Thank you.