Obituary of Amelia Joann Adamski

ADAMSKI: This earthly journey is about learning and love. Amelia embraced it, she achieved her purpose, and it was time to go home. It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Amelia Adamski on December 28, 2019, at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Born April 10, 1922 in Strzelce, Poland, to Peter and Maria Klim, Amelia's early life was simple, a life on a farm, and dreams of seeing faraway places. She was 19 in 1941 when Polish citizens were being taken to Labour Camps in Germany. Amelia offered to go in her brother's place so he could remain home and help on the family farm. That decision created the beginning of an entirely new life. Amelia laboured in Germany until the end of the war at which time her response to an offer to return home or relocate to another country, was to choose to move to Canada. In October 1947, she and 19 other young women from the labour camps arrived in bitterly cold Brandon. Upon arrival she worked at the Brandon Mental Hospital as a nurses aide. She met her future husband, Walter, during some of the social gatherings with the Polish community, and they wed in 1949. Walter and Amelia lived with his parents who were instrumental in teaching Mum 2 of her big passions, gardening and cooking. She and Dad planted massive vegetable gardens which provided food for the family, as well as for friends and neighbors. She canned and froze garden produce for the winter. As for cooking and baking, it was as natural as breathing. Baking buns, Easter bread, making just the best perogies and cabbage rolls, and regularly delicious borscht. But it was always on a big scale, because anyone stopping in was handed a plate, or given a bowl to take home. "No thank you" wasn't an option. She would look for something to give you. This was her home life for decades. She and Dad built their home board by board, as money allowed. And it was perfect. She never understood what a mortgage was. All of this is to provide an insight to the strong, determined, committed, and faithful woman, Amelia Adamski. Always woven through her day, her activity, her life, was her faith. Amelia was a devout Catholic, a parishioner of St. Hedwig's Parish, and later of St. Augustine's. In both parishes she was a member of the Catholic Woman's League, and during the St. Hedwig's era was well known for her incredible cabbage rolls that were served at the many catered weddings and smorgasbords. She was always a willing helper, a contributor. Amelia also worked as a nurses aide once again at the Brandon Mental Hospital, once her children were older. She enjoyed her work. She was well-respected for her work, and she continued it until her retirement. And then she and Walter had more unlimited time for their garden, for travel--Poland and Australia, and countless train rides to Edmonton to visit her wonderful grandchildren. And naturally she continued all her cooking and baking. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting, and her special afghans can be found in homes across the country. She just loved to keep busy, and she enjoyed making something special as a thank you for many reasons. Left to cherish Amelia's memory are her daughter Rosemary (Randy Winter), son Frank (Dianne), granddaughter Heather (Chris), grandson Daniel (Erin). Great-grandchildren Tegan, Blake, Kaia, and Saige. Her family was so important to her, and when grandchildren and the great-grandchildren came into her life she was absolutely delighted, as they were with their Babcia. As well, there are her sister Lonia in Poland, sister-in-law Susan in Edmonton, and many nieces and nephews, and friends who were like family. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Amelia can be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation (Palliative Care), 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, MB, R7A 2B3 or to a charity of choice. The family is grateful for the care Mum received at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, and extend special thanks to the staff on 400. They are truly special people. Thank you also to Father John Okosun and to Roy Deering for your care. Prayers for Amelia will be Sunday, January 5, 5:30 p.m. at Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332 8th Street, Brandon. Mass of Christian Burial is Monday, January 6, 11:00 a.m. at St. Augustine's Catholic Church, 327 4th Street, Brandon.