Jadwiga Wijas

      Jadwiga Wijas (Jadja, Jane)

(nee Borczuch)

      Jadwiga passed peacefully in the late evening with her caregiver Corrine by her side.  Jadwiga was lovingly called Jadja by her family, friends and Lion’s Prairie Manor staff and Jane by her former co-workers.

     Jadja came to Canada in May of 1975 and settled in Portage la Prairie.  She was sponsored by her Uncle Alexander Borczuch and his wife Lucy and her cousin Diane.  Jadja soon married Lucy’s brother Zigmunt Wijas and became a Canadian Citizen.  When Jadja’s marriage failed she returned to her family in Portage la Prairie and became a member of Alex and Lucy’s household.  Jadja enjoyed being part of a large family and treated each member of her Canadian family with love and kindness. 

     Jadja is survived by her caregivers and family by choice; Corrine, Jason, Grayson and Cassidy Pratt.  Jadja is also survived by her cousins; Diane Pratt and her children: Barb & Tim Heppner, Anthony Jaworski,  Andre & Twyla Jaworski , Jason & Corrine Pratt,  Alex & Gloria Borczuch and their son Shane, Diane Boychek and her daughter Jodi, Barbara & David Postal and their sons Jeremy, Johnathon, Matthew and Jaben.  As well as the children of her cousin’s families whom Jadja loved very much.

     Jadja is predeceased by her parents who remained in Poland.  Jadja was also predeceased by relatives Alexander Borczuch, David Pratt, Lucy Borczuch and John Boychek.

     Jadja was very proud of her employment with the Campbell Soup Co. and worked at the plant until its closure.  Jadja then joined the workforce at Connery’s Vegetable farm.  Jadja worked for Connery’s until her workplace injury prevented her from returning and she was forced to retire early. Jadja took pride in everything she did.  She choose piecework over an hourly wage as she was such a fast worker, she took advantage that she could make more money by working harder.  Jadja took great pride with assisting in the yard and garden that Lucy and her family created. The house on the corner of 18th and Lorne Avenue was always known for its flowers and vegetables.  Jadja was a woman of many skills; no job was too big to tackle.  She’d mow the lawn, work the garden, shovel snow and later operate the snow blower which she proudly purchased.  Her cars, clothes and shoes were always kept in great condition.  If she wasn’t working, she wanted to look her best.

     Jadja loved to travel.  She traveled to Poland and British Columbia many times and attended many out of town/province weddings.  One of her biggest adventures was the Holy Land Tour in Israel.

     What Jadja enjoyed the most was family.  She doted on all the children in the family.  Always willing to babysit, was a fixture at family gatherings, always eager to attend birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers and weddings.  A woman of faith, she was member of the           Highway Tabernacle Pentecostal Church attending weekly sermons with her family Lucy and Diane.

     Jadja began suffering from dementia at the age of 65 and required personal care home placement at the age of 66.  The staff of Lions Prairie Manor’s dementia unit-Parkside truly did their very best to give Jadja a safe and loving home.  She wasn’t always the easiest to provide care for, but their kindness, professionalism and heart assisted them with being able to guide her through her day with dignity and grace.  Jadja was blessed to have so many caring individuals in her life when she needed it the most.  Thank you to all the Lions Prairie Manor staff for taking such good care of our Jadja.

     Funeral service with Pastor Tom Boxall will take place at the Omega Funeral Home, 83 Royal Road. S., Portage la Prairie, MB on Friday June 7th at 10:30 a.m.  Lunch will be served following the interment at Hillside Cemetery.

     In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lions Prairie Manor Foundation, 24 – 9th St. SE, Unit 114, Portage la Prairie, MB  R1N 3V4. 

Messages of condolences can be made online at www.omegafuneralhome.com

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