MARIA MANIAWSKI
It is with heavy hearts but hope in God’s promises that the family announces the peaceful passing of Maria Maniawski on Thursday, September 30th, 2021 at 10:10 p.m. at the age of 95 years, with her children at her side. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, faithful Christian and dedicated friend, Maria touched the hearts and lives of so many. God blessed Maria with an amazing and abundant life filled with a close and loving family, wonderful friendships, and countless cherished experiences. Her legacy of love for her family and friends, serving God through her Christian walk, zeal for life and endless generosity to others will be forever cherished. We honor and pay tribute to an amazing woman who meant so much to so many.
Maria was predeceased by her parents, Roman and Olga Czyrak; husband, Emil; grandson, Dillon Marciszyn; brother and sister-in-law, Stefan and Justyna Czyrak; niece, Anna Czyrak; and sister and brother-in-law, Anna and Mikolaj (Nick) Pietrus. Maria will be dearly missed by her daughter, Anne (Dale) Marciszyn and son, John; grandsons that she cherished, Adam and Derek Marciszyn; nephews: Henryk (Joanne) Pietrus, Metro (Brenda) Pietrus and Roman (Wendy) Pietrus; nieces, Ewa (Jozef) Wojcik and Irena (Dariusz) Gumiela; cousin, John Szarun; as well as cousins, nephews and nieces in Canada, Poland and Ukraine, and many close friends.
The journey of Maria’s long and abundant life was filled with experiences and relationships that shaped her wonderful, loving, and caring character. Maria deeply loved her family, and faithfully served God through life. She was a true friend – generous, selfless, compassionate, and considerate, helping friends and strangers alike. Maria was adventurous, courageous, strong, and determined, which enabled her to live her life to the fullest and navigate through life’s troubled waters. She was intelligent, prudent, and witty, which was balanced with her humility, honesty, and kindness. All remember her for her endless energy and meticulous nature.
“It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” – Ernest Hemingway
Born in Zamch, Poland on September 27th, 1926, Maria spent the early years of her life pursuing her love of learning, contributing to demanding work on her parent’s farm, and developing her Christian faith as a Bible Student. Maria and her family endured significant hardships and experiences during World War II including poverty, death of friends and family, and displacement. It was through these difficult experiences that Maria developed her strong faith in God, focus on family, strength, resilience, and unselfish desire to help others. Following the war, Maria focused on helping her parents, working on the farm and as a seamstress, and serving her family’s close-knit community. Maria cherished her parents, brother, sister and their families, and developed many life-long relationships during this time. Maria’s wonderful, signature smile, fun-loving nature and enthusiastic sense of humour were released during this happier time of her life. Years later, she shared her experiences and special times in Poland with her family, and maintained her many friendships through continued letter writing and periodic trips home.
Maria’s life journey took her on many new paths when she immigrated with her parents to Canada on the ship MS Batory in November 1958. Following her immigrant landing in Quebec City on December 6th, 1958, Maria and her parents travelled to Winnipeg where they made their new home. Maria worked hard in various seamstress jobs and on farms, while learning English as a fourth language. Maria met her handsome and gentle Emil in early 1962 and the two were married on June 15th, 1962.
Transferring with Emil’s job with CPR, Maria and Emil moved to Moose Jaw in late 1962, which is where they raised their family and settled for the rest of their lives. Dedicated to making a better life for her family, Maria balanced raising her two children and working as a seamstress at Canaday’s and in several cleaning jobs at City Hall, SGI, SaskPower, and SaskTel until her retirement in 1990. Maria raised her family in a Christian home, which focused on the importance of hard work, education, and the need to help others. Maria’s home was always open to friends, whether they were part of her Polish/Ukrainian social group playing cards on a Saturday evening, or a local Christian group participating in a Bible study on Sunday afternoon. She enjoyed cooking delightful Ukrainian dishes for her family and friends, organizing picnics for the neighborhood children, holding large birthday parties for her children, joining in tobogganing races, or playing hockey with her son. Maria loved entertaining and having fun!
Maria’s journey in her retirement years was spent doing the things that she loved: enjoying and helping her children and grandchildren in countless ways; visiting many friends in hospitals and senior homes; and traveling with family across western Canada to see God’s beauty in nature, several times to Poland to visit family and friends from her early years, and regularly to Calgary to visit her son. Some of her most cherished moments were times spent with her grandsons, Adam and Derek. Maria was active in her senior years, enjoying her love of gardening, doing her daily walks in Crescent Park, attending her grandchildren’s sports activities, and continuing her love of learning. She celebrated her children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments and was always ready to support her family during life’s challenges.
Our Mom loved and served God throughout her life. She enjoyed praying and reading the Bible daily, attending Bible Student conventions across Canada, the U.S., and Poland, and embracing fellowship with other Christian groups including the First Baptist Church in Moose Jaw. She focused on helping and serving others in need, and demonstrating a Christian life through her example of daily living. God blessed Mom with a full, abundant life, sustained her during life’s many challenges and guided her restoration to a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life during her last year.
Mom leaves behind endless, cherished memories and a legacy that will remain forever with all who knew and loved her. We love you Mom, miss you dearly, but look forward to that glorious day when we meet again!
Our family wishes to thank our special friends, Mariam Nganzo and her care team at Marcie’s Care Home, who provided quality care and friendship for Mom over the past year and half when the Covid environment made it difficult for her children to care for her in her home. Thank you to Judy, Daljit, Colleen, Brenda, and Sandra, who helped us provide care and companionship for Mom in her home for the previous five years. We also thank Dr. Van Heerden, her doctor of many years, Dr. King, her doctor over the past year, and the caregivers at the DR. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital, who provided gentle, compassionate care to Mom during the final week of her earthly life. Although our goal was always to have Mom return home, our Heavenly Father chose to bring her Home.
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow,
nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:
for the former things are passed away.”
Revelation 21:4
A Funeral Service with family and close friends celebrating Maria’s life and legacy will be held on Tuesday, October 12th, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home. In the interest of protecting the health and safety of others and maintaining Covid-19 protocols during the ongoing pandemic, the family has limited in person participation at the funeral. The family requests friends wishing to attend the service to contact them directly or at tributetomaria@shaw.ca. Those unable to attend the service are invited to view the service virtually by going to www.moosejawfuneralhome.com/webcast/. In lieu of flowers, donations in Maria’s name may be made to a charity of one’s choice. As part of the Bench in Memory program, a park bench has been donated in the memory of our Mom and Dad to the Moose Jaw Crescent Park for the enjoyment of our community of the beautiful greenspace and nature that they so loved. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Michelle Ellis, Funeral Director 306-693-4550
Anne and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. May your memories and The Heavenly Father comfort you in the coming days.
Dear Anne, John, and families;
I was very sorry to hear of Maria’s passing. I have fond memories of the time I spent with her at Mulberry Place in Moose Jaw. Take comfort knowing that she is now at rest. I am sorry that I will not be attending the Funeral Service, but I will view it virtually, thinking of you.
So sorry Anne and family you are in my thoughts and prayers…Anne you were a very good daughter looking after your parents so well…hugs
Sincere condolences to you & your family Anne! What a lovely, heartfelt tribute to your Mom! Her long history is remarkable and a testament to her faith!! I wish I had have known her!
Our sincere condolences to you, Anne & Dale and your family at this time of sorrow. Your mom always had a smile and a kind word. She was a joy to know. Take care.
So sorry for your loss. Your mom, was a beautiful lady, who was so full of life. She impacted so many lives. . Ill never forget the time I spent with her. Anne, John and all her family, you gave your mom the greatest gift a mother could receive, your absolute devotion and endless love. You are an amazing family
My sincere condolences to my friend John and the rest of the family on your mother’s passing. May her spirit live on in all of you and inspire in you the same freedom and independence that Maria learned to value and enjoy. God bless you and her.
Dear John,Anne and family, so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. With covid it has been along time since I had the pleasure of visiting her. She was a joy and her smile never ending. She is now at peace and with your Dad.
Sincere condolences . Mickey and Lorne Heron
Anne and family. So sorry to hear of your moms passing. I know she meant the world to you and you showed that by always being there for her. You always out your mom before your own needs. She couldn’t of had a more caring loving daughter. Her smile was so infectious and I am glad I got to see it on a few occasions. Hugs to you all and prayers are with you all.
Connie Paul
James & Olga Sikorski
To all in the family, it was very sad to hear your mother has pass away. We enjoy many fine times discussing what the Bible was teaching us to believe. May the Bible hope of the resurrection hope comfort all you in the family, where we could see your fine parents alive again as mention in Act 24:15.
Dear John, Anne & Dale and family. Our most sincere and heartfelt sympathies to you all at this sad time. It was an honour to have known your mother and her sweet smile and kind disposition. We share with you in your time of grief and look forward to seeing her again in God’s great Kingdom. We pray the Lord’s blessing and comfort be with you all, especially at this time.
Anne, John and family, So sorry to read of the loss of your dear mother. Hold on to the memories and know that you will meet again. Take care
We’re saddened to hear of your Mom’s passing John 🙁 She was a very special lady on many levels! We fondly recall the sweet fellowship we shared with you both over the years and most recently at the Red Deer convention. Please know that you will be in our thoughts and prayers going forward. Psalm 116:15 and Isaiah 41:13
Dear John and family: We just heard of your mom’s passing this morning, and we wish to express our heartfelt condolences. As we read your mom’s on-line obituary, we couldn’t help but picture her wonderful smile and kind and gracious manner, with which she greeted us every time we met with her. We would like to acknowledge your efforts John, in providing the opportunity for her to make our meetings and Bible conventions so special. Her desire to study and learn more about our Heavenly Father and his plan for all of mankind set an example, for all of those who had the privilege of knowing her, which was well worth following. God Bless you and all of your family at this time of loss. We wish you all comfort and peace. Andy and Darlene Oystryk Canora, Sk
To Anne, John and families, we express our deepest sympathies on Mrs. Maniawski’s passing. She was a lovely lady who together with Emil, we always considered as great friends along with you children and the grandchildren. (Originating with our meeting years back at C.G.T.X)
A wonderful mom, cousin and sister in Christ full of hospitality and good works toward us as I remember Mom. Whenever I spoke with her on a personal level about this life there was always that strong under pinning of the hope of the kingdom and love of God in our conversation. I know that she had hope and faith that there will be a resurrection of all in the graves and that ultimately death itself will be destroyed! Praise God for that memory.
Acts 24:15
Revelation 20:14
Dear John, Anne, and family,
Our deep sympathy in the loss of your dear mother. It was always a blessing to visit Winnipeg and meet her there as she too was visiting family. We have fond memories of her warmth and our shared faith and mutual hope in God’s promise of “Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Praying the sweet memories of your mother and her faith will be a comfort in the days ahead.
I have some great memories Of Maria and me attending her wedding. This was in Manitoba. We could not speak each other’s language but we got along. with hugs and looks. And sharing our faith. God bless and keep her dear family in God’s care.
Much love….Violet Rozmus Kuly
Dear Anne, John & family,
We are very sorry to hear about your mother, Sr. Maria. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Ps.116:15.
With Much Christian Love,
Houston Bible Students
Dear Anne, John, and families
Gosh, what a lovely mother to have. You were blessed to have Maria and Emil as your parents. So many warm and loving memories. I know we were so lucky to have such caring and helpful neighbours. I knew a little of Maria and Emil’s lives before they arrived in Moose Jaw from our conversations, but to read this moving obituary, it is clear Maria had enough experiences to fill two lifetimes. It is a testament to a person of resolve, faith and love. Rest in peace.
Truly sorry for your loss of Mother, friend, and devoted Christian. Maria lives on in our hearts and will always be missed!