Maria Kiczma

Peacefully with family by her side on June 24 2011, at Joseph Brant Hospital in her 90th year. She is now reunited in heaven with her beloved husband Peter. Much loved and devoted mother of Donna Stewart, Les Kiczma and his wife Eileen. Cherished Babcia of her treasures and “scarbas”, Peter Stewart (Sabrina), Rebecca Kiczma, Alyshia Kiczma. She will be dearly missed by her many nieces, nephews,special God-daughter Dr. Barbara Burzynski from Houston, friends and neighbours. Maria was a retired realtor with the Hamilton Real Estate Board. Maria was loved by all who knew her, or whose lives she touched, and always there for anyone to lend them a hand, extend a kindness or her home. She would always say, “Thanks be to God”, and “God bless you” to all.

Maria Kiczma born February 26, 1922 in Lwów, to Michael and Carolina Mszańska. She married her soulmate Peter Kiczma in 1939, 11 days before Poland was invaded in World War II.

In 1949, she immigrated to Canada with her daughter Danusia (Donna) to join her husband who immigrated six months earlier. Her son Leszek (Leslie) was born. Together with her husband Peter they ran a successful construction company.

In 1957, she joined the Ladies’ Circle at Branch 2 of the Polish Alliance of Canada (PAC).

In 1960, she became a member of Branch 2 of the PAC.

She was a member of the following organizations:

• Polish Choir “Symfonia” in Hamilton

• St. Stanislaus Parish Choir in Hamilton

• The W. Reymont Foundation

She was a board member of the following organizations:

• Polish Credit Union in Hamilton

• Polish Newspaper “Związkowiec” in Toronto

• Millennium Fundraising Committee (1966)

• Canadian Polish Congress – District Hamilton

• Head Executive Board of the PAC in Toronto

She was president of the following organizations:

• Polish Choir “Symfonia” in Hamilton

• Central Executive of the Ladies’ Circle in Canada

Awards and Distinctions

• Gold Pin of the Canadian Polish Congress

• Tadeusz Glista Award

• Honorary Governor of The W. Reymont Foundation

• Numerous congratulatory letters from the governments of Poland and Canada

• Diplomas from Premiers of Ontario: William B. Davis and Dalton McGuinty

• Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland from the President of Poland

The family will receive friends at the MARKEY DERMODY FUNERAL HOME 1774 King Street East at Kenilworth on Tuesday June 28th from 2-4 and 7-9pm Vigil Prayers on Tuesday at 7:30pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Stanislaus Church, 8 St Ann Street on Wednesday June 29th at 10am. Interment to follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Burlington. We are very grateful to Dr Naidoo and his staff for their excellent care and phenomenal support, also to the entire staff at Hampton Terrace for their compassion and care of Maria and her family. Heartfelt thanks to Marias niece and god-daughter Christine, and Al Thompson for their weekly visits and administering Eucharist. A special thanks to the Emergency Staff at Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital. Memorial Donations in Marias memory to a Charity close to your own heart would be greatly appreciated by the family.