Obituary of Wanda Lucy Bielecki

April 30, 1926 – Warsaw, Poland

December 16, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

Wanda Bielecki (nee Baranski) beloved wife of the late Stanley Bielecki, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at the age of 97 years.

Wanda was born in Warsaw, Poland on April 30, 1926. She immigrated to Canada 1960 and residing in Calgary, AB. Wanda married Stanley Bielecki in a civil ceremony 1959 in Warsaw Poland and then a church wedding in Calgary, 1960.

She was a proud member and volunteer of the Polish Community in Calgary and member of the SPK – Polish Combatants Association of Canada No.18 and Our Lady Queen of Peace Church. Wanda accomplished much through her life and was particularly proud of her participation and fortitude during World War II and her involvement as a care giver in the Warsaw Uprising of August 1944, where the Home Army and other troops took arms against the Nazi Germans. She survived that but lost her mother Kazimiera and brother Zbigniew (code name Gica). After the war she then held her remaining family together and rebuilt their lives in a post war Poland under Communist rule. Her future husband, Stanley came to Warsaw Poland for a visit 1959 from Canada; met, fell in love and were wed the same year. 

Wanda enjoyed and was known for her passion for hosting dinner parties and gatherings for family and friends. She was the utmost host and cook and everyone felt welcome in her home. Her love of fashion provided her a skill in millinery and later becoming a fashion consultant in the high fashion retail for over 25 years. She came from an era of grace, class and elegance and her clientele came for her guidance and expertise. She loved her flower gardening and particular her peonies and nasturtium. Wanda loved traveling with her children across Europe, Canada, the US and Mexico and many fond memories of those trips.

She will be most remembered for her elegance and style with a smile that lit up the room. Everyone knew her in the Polish Community as “ Panie Wandzya”. 

Wanda is survived by her daughter, Marietta Mary Bielecki and son Gregory Arnold Bielecki, both of Calgary, AB. Wanda is survived by her sister Maria Janczak of Warsaw Poland, her children Katarzyna Janczak of Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States and Wojciech Janczak of West Lafayette, Indiana, United States; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends all over the globe. Wanda was predeceased by her loving husband Stanley Bielecki, parents Wladyslaw and Kazimiera Baranski; brothers, Zbigniew Baranski and Wieslaw, survived by his wife Lidia and son Pawel, and sister Danuta Baranski.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Wanda’s family here.

The family would like to thank the team at Garrison Green for providing amazing care and compassion for Wanda. 

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca.

In living memory of Wanda Bielecki, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.