Obituary of Teodozja "Dora" Rogowski

ROGOWSKI: Teodozja Rogowski (née Martyka) On September 4, 2013 Teodozja (Dora) Rogowski peacefully passed away with friends and family by her side at the Assinibine Centre in Brandon, MB. Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Richard (Susan) Rogowski, Stan Rogowski of Vancouver, BC, Bart Rogowski and daughter, Sharon Rogowski. Her sister Mary (John) Doyle, nephew Clifford (Grace) Dempster, niece Marianne (Dale) Trapp, nephew Ted Dempster along with numerous extended family members. Dora was predeceased by her parents, Piotra and Krystyny (Wagnerów) Martyka, her first husband, Mike Rogowski, her sister Angela Martyka and her brother, Theodore Martyka. Dora was born September 15, 1927 in Wlodzimierz, Poland. In September 1939, the world made a Declaration of war when both Germany and Russia invaded Poland and life, as Dora knew it with her family, would never be the same again. Everything they once knew or were familiar with collapsed, and survival became the norm. After burying their mother in June 1941, and their father in November of that same year, only to lose their oldest sister, Angela, in August 1943, Dora, at the age of 15, became both mother and father to her nine year old younger sister, Mary and seven year old brother, Ted. Through faith and God's grace, they survived. They were alive and made it through together. When continental Europe was liberated by the Western Allies in 1945, Dora, Mary and Ted, along with thousands of others displaced by war, eventually relocated to Displaced Persons camps run by the International Refugee Organization in the U.S. zone of Germany. There she met Mieczyslaw (Mike) Rogowski. Without a country to go back to or to a freer society that once existed, Dora chose Canada as her new home. Along with her two younger siblings, she left Ludwigsburg, Germany and on March 17, 1949, sailed for Canada, arriving into Halifax harbor March 28, 1949. Dora reunited again with Mike, who emigrated to Canada one year earlier. On May 28, 1949, they were married at St. Hedwig's Roman Catholic Church in Brandon, MB and there, raised four children, having three sons and one daughter. For Dora, Canada offered so much stability, opportunity and hope. Canada offered a future; a second chance at life. The majority of her work experience centred around the care and comfort of others, and people who knew and worked with Dora at the Brandon Psychiatric Hospital, Sunset Haven Nursing Home and The Salvation Army Dinsdale Personal Care Home often described her as a conscientious, sincere and kind person. Dora was a creative sewer and a wonderful cook. She was a humble and compassionate human being, often finding it much easier to give than to receive. Her favorite charity was the Salvation Army, which she supported for years. Over the course of their lives, Dora, her sister Mary and her brother Ted may have been separated by distance, but never in spirit and love for one another, which was expressed through their letters, cards, phone calls and visits between Winnipeg and Brandon. Up until this year, despite her own serious health issues, Aunt Mary traveled to Brandon because she wanted to see her sister. For this unfailing devotion and compassion, our family would like to express heartfelt gratitude and love for such entertaining and heartwarming memories between her family and ours. We would like to thank her friends and all the people who knew Dora for their warm and kind words of condolence and sympathy. We are truly grateful to Mrs. Rogene Sisk, who was a faithful friend and companion to Dora for over 60 years. The family would especially like to thank Melissa Dunkley, Trina Koroscil and the wonderful nursing staff of the Palliative Care unit and Home Care program at the Brandon Regional Health Centre because home was where Mom wanted to be. We would like to express our deep appreciation and special thanks to Fr. Kevin Smith and to John "Sonny" Moroz and the staff of Brockie Donovan for their guidance and comfort. Dora will be remembered for her resilience, integrity and strength of character, a generous nature; accepting people for who they are and unconditional love of life and family. A Service of Remembrance was held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, on September 13, 2013 with Celebrant, Fr. Kevin Smith of St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church officiating. Interment followed at the Brandon Cemetery Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations in memory of Dora may be made to The Salvation Army, 9 Princess Avenue, Brandon, MB, R7A 1R8. Like so many of her generation, the second World War had a profound impact in guiding and shaping Mom's world view and outlook on life and these words, kept up on a family room wall and taken from Ann Landers column, dated November 22, 2001, described best what really mattered to Mom and what was truly important to her. Things To Be Thankful For Be thankful for the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means you have enough to eat. Be thankful for the mess you clean up after a party, because it means you have been surrounded by friends. Be thankful for the taxes you pay, because it means that you're employed. Be thankful that your lawn needs mowing and your windows need fixing, because it means you have a home. Be thankful for your heating bill, because it means you are warm. Be thankful for the laundry, because it means you have clothes to wear. Be thankful for the space you find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means you can walk. Be thankful for the lady who sings off-key behind you in church, because it means you can hear. Be thankful people complain about the government, because it means we have freedom of speech. Be thankful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means you're alive. We love you very much Mom and there are no words that can express how much you will be missed. May angels guide you to your rest.