Obituary of Fania Wedro

August 25, 1925 - Korzec, Poland

August 21, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that our family shares the passing of Fania (Fanny) Wedro on August 21, 2023, in Calgary. She died peacefully, after a short illness, surrounded by family and friends.

Fania was born in Korzec, Poland, who was a childhood holocaust survivor, living through two major massacres of the Jewish people of Poland, and by hiding in the woods for 18 months. She lost her family at the age of 14 and was forced by the Nazis to bury the bodies of her family and friends. After liberation, she lived in a displaced persons camp for two years before immigrating to Alberta as a war refugee.

With her husband, Leo, Fania found opportunities for a new life and success as they grew and developed a variety of businesses. This gave them both the chance to give back to their adopted community and donate time, energy, and funding for a host of charitable projects.

Fania dedicated much of her time to the Calgary Jewish community and to humanitarian projects in Israel, including funding ambulances for Magen David Adom. She was dedicated to making certain that the Holocaust would never be forgotten. She spoke to thousands of school children, presented at hundreds of conferences and endowed Holocaust memorials in Poland and the Ukraine. Fania also supported the research Holocaust by “Bullets” that has uncovered previously unfound mass graves. Her lifetime of work was recognized by the University of Calgary who bestowed upon her an honorary Doctor of Law degree.

Fania never forgot. She was a devoted wife to her husband Leo and was always at his side. His memory was always with her after his death. She was a devoted citizen of the world and made certain that the victims of the holocaust, including her family, were never forgotten.

Fania Wedro is survived by son, Ben (Kelly), daughter Eleanor (Joseph), and grandchildren Alexandra, Meredith, and Celina.

Funeral Services will be held at the Jewish Memorial Chapel, (Northeast Corner of Highway 22X & 37th Street S.W., Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at 2:00PM. Graveside Service to follow at the Jewish Cemetery (30th Avenue & Erlton Street S.W., Calgary, AB).  Arrangements in care of the CHEVRA KADISHA OF CALGARY, Northeast Corner of Highway 22X & 37^th Street S.W., TELEPHONE: (403) 244-4717. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

Arrangements in care of the CHEVRA KADISHA OF CALGARY, Telephone:  403-244-4717.