Whitney Pier
With sadness, we announce the passing of Ryszarda 'Rysia' Sokolowski at home in Whitney Pier on Sunday, April 2, 2017 in her 81st year after a very brief illness.
Rysia was born in Jablonka, Poland, and came to Cape Breton in 1959. She was sponsored by her grandparents, who had settled in Canada many years earlier.
Rysia was a person of courage and kindness, and she was proudly self-sufficient. She was previously employed at Ellerbrook Nurseries and General Instruments. She kept wonderful food gardens and even a small farmstead. She had a vast knowledge of plants and remedies, as well as stories from the old country. Rysia lived through difficult times, and also some traumatic experiences, as a child during World War II and later as a young adult in Sydney. But she never lost hope.
Rysia was predeceased by her parents, Ludwik and Jozefa; her sister, Anna Ptaskiewicz (Bernard) and by her brother, Jozef (Maria). She leaves her brother, Stephen of Whitney Pier.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Polish Parish.
Rysia will be greatly missed by her brother, her friends and her parish. We know she is with God.
There will be no visitation, but all are welcome to a Funeral Mass, which will be held on Saturday, April 8 at 10 a.m. in St. Mary’s Polish Church, 15 Wesley St., Whitney Pier, with Rev. Richard Philiposki officiating. Lunch to follow in the church. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery at a later date. Thank you to Bill Laurie and Pier Community Funeral Home for their kind assistance.
Donations in memory of Rysia may be made to St. Mary’s Polish Church, designated in support of the work of the Care Group.
Wieczny odpoczynek racz jej dac Panie, a swiatlosc wiekuista niechaj jej swieci. Niech odpoczywa w pokoju wiecznym. Amen.
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Online Condolences
Dear Stephen, so sorry to hear about your sister's passing. Knowing how close you were and how she took care of you and tried to protect you, you must be missing her very much. I know that I don't live around the corner, but when we met again 2015 – after 52 years – I felt attached to you and I still often think of you. So, if I can help in any way, feel free to write me. Maybe you would like to come and visit me here in Germany and we could take a trip to your former home in Poland? I would gladly be your travel companion. Whatever – I'm here. My sincerest and deepest sympathy – Marianne (Wolf)
From: Marianne Schmidt-Ahlers (Wolf)