Obituary of Veronica Zwierzchowski

March 9, 1930 – Gnilice, Poland

November 27, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Veronica Zwierzchowski, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Veronica passed away peacefully on the morning of Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at the age of 94 years, surrounded by her three children.

Veronica was born in Gnilice, Poland, on March 9, 1930, the youngest child of Teodora and Michal Gumbie. Her early years were spent enjoying life on the family farm. During WWII, the farm was attacked and destroyed by Russian partisans. Veronica's family escaped with only a few possessions and travelled to Germany, where they survived by working labour on farms. During the journey across Poland and Germany, they suffered more loss when Veronica's father passed away in Germany. For many years after the war, the family lived in a displaced persons camp near Stade, Germany, where she completed school and became a teacher for kindergarten classes.

At the age of 19, Veronica and her mother sailed from Bremerhaven, Germany, landing at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on January 18, 1950. From Halifax, they journeyed by train to Calgary to join her sister Janina (Jean). Veronica remembered the train journey being very uncomfortable, due to them having to sit and sleep on wooden seats for many days.

In Calgary, Veronica found employment at the Alberta Memorial Sanatorium, later renamed Baker Memorial Sanitorium, and met her first husband Jozef (Joseph) Zwierzchowski. They were married on November 7, 1953, and had three children—Mary, Stan, and Teresa.

During the years she raised her children, she obtained her bookkeeping certificate and sold Avon part-time. Her daughters were always very excited to see the tiny lipstick samples that appeared each month. Later, Veronica worked at The Bay for over thirty years. She was very proud of her accomplishments there, starting as a sales associate and later advancing to administrative positions, ordering inventory for various departments.

Veronica enjoyed travelling, gardening, baking, and entertaining her family on many special occasions. She was a member of the SPK (Polish Combatants Association) Branch #18 for 67 years and volunteered in various capacities. Her biggest joy, however, came from spending time with her six grandchildren.

Sometime after Jozef passed away, Veronica married her second husband, Michal (Michael) Bosowiec, on July 19, 1997. They enjoyed fishing and camping, and at times were accompanied by grandchildren. These were new activities for her, but she took on this new adventure with enthusiasm.

Veronica was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease at the age of 87 years. Though she was able to remain in her own home for a short time, her last years were spent in her final home at AgeCare SkyPointe. The care she received at Sunridge West was exceptional and she had a special relationship with many of her caregivers and recreation staff. The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Son and every caregiver who played a role in making Veronica's last years comfortable. You will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Veronica was preceded in death by her parents, Teodora and Michal, her brothers, Nikolaj Gumbie, Michal Gumbie, and Walter Gumbie; her sisters, Janina (Jean) Baranowski and Maria Zydok; her first husband Jozef Zwierzchowski, and her second husband Michal Bosowiec.

She leaves memories with her children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughters, all of whom she was very proud of. Mary and her husband Morris Gorko, and their two daughters, Marla (Sebastiaan) Reynhardt and Lisa (Dave) Beddis, as well as her two great-granddaughters, Harlow Beddis and India Beddis; Stan Zwierzchowski and his wife Sheila Berger, and their two children, Shawn (Danica Whalley) Zwierzchowski and Rhian Zwierzchowski; Teresa Zwierzchowski and her husband John Moorhouse, and their two children, Brendan Moorhouse and Evelyn (Scott Secco) Moorhouse. She also leaves memories with her special friend of more than seventy years, Maria Sosnowski, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Veronica was intelligent, brave, hardworking, and, as described by more than one person, feisty. Her journey included much trauma and hardship in her early years, yet she was always kind, loving, and generous. She is resting now and will be missed.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Veronica’s family here.

In living memory of Veronica Zwierzchowski, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.