Obituary of Genia Czenczek

Genowefa “Genia, Genna” Elzbieta Czenczek passed away peacefully on October 18, 2022 at the age of 83 years old.

Genia was born in Lwow, Poland in 1939. When the Russians invaded Poland, her family was one of many who were sent to a Siberian labor camp where she was orphaned at the age of one. Along with her sister and her 2 brothers, she was sent to an orphanage in India. She grew up in the orphanage not knowing she had siblings, and didn’t know about them until they had been moved to a boarding school in London.  From her stories it sounded like she got herself into some mischief. She had told me a story about when she had spent some time hospitalized and decided she wanted to be a nurse. She would take the used needles that the nurses threw in the garbage and started practicing by injecting them into her knee. She accidently broke one in her knee and her knee got red and swollen. She tried to hide it from the doctor but got found out. I feel that the needle disposal boxes were invented because of her.

She finished eleventh grade and when offered a scholarship, she attended an arts College in England. After leaving the college, she was employed in a warehouse as sewing machinist.  She said so she was highly sought after because she was so good and fast at what she did. She was a talented seamstress and made a lot of our childhood clothing.  She came to Canada in 1963 and has resided in Calgary, Alberta ever since.

She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother and friend.  She had a wonderful sense of humour and an amazing laugh. She loved thrifting, animals and spending time in the outdoors. Her unwavering faith brought her much strength, comfort and peace. Her favourite Psalm was Psalm 91, which took her a whole year to memorize!

She is lovingly remembered by her daughters,  Helen (Trevor), Ursula (Trevor),  Natalie (Dwayne);  grandsons Evan and Jared; and step-granddaughter Sienna.

No funeral services will be held as per Genia’s wishes. The family will be having a private event to celebrate her life.