Anna Popek

POPEK, ANNA - Surrounded by her loving family, Anna passed away peacefully at the Greater Niagara General Hospital on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at the incredible age of 101. Anna was the beloved wife of 62 years to Jan Popek, who preceded her in death in 2012. A devout Catholic, Anna found solace and strength in her faith, attending Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, where she sought spiritual guidance and community support.

Anna was the loving sister of Janina Huk, devoted mother of Ewa (Adam) Niemiec, Teresa (Wieslaw) Malinowska, and Janina (Walter) Kociolek. Anna, a cherished Babcia, will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her grandchildren Marcin Niemiec, Monika (John) Niemiec, Evelina Niemiec, Claudia (Kyle) Worlin, Katarzyna (Maulesh) Malinowska, Michael Kociolek, and Paulina Kociolek, as well as her great-grandchildren Maximilian, Matthew, and Mia.

Anna embraced her Catholic faith, instilling its values in her family and finding comfort in the eternal promise of life after death. Anna, a courageous patriot, played a significant role in securing Poland's freedom, risking her own life, health, and family. Her dedication to the values of freedom and solidarity will forever be remembered and appreciated by our generation and those to come.

Anna's journey led her to Canada in 1991, where she settled in Thorold and later in Niagara Falls, creating a new home filled with love and tradition. She never complained of being tired and embraced each day with resilience and a joyful spirit that inspired those around her. Known for her warm heart and sense of humour, Anna's laughter echoed through family gatherings, creating lasting memories. She delighted in baking rogaliki and making pierogies, sharing the rich flavors of her heritage with family and friends, and she enjoyed games of chance. You could often find her at the casino playing slot machines, or trying her luck with a scratch lottery ticket.

She loved taking strolls in the neighborhood, gardening in the yard and sharing her knowledge about world politics around the table with family, perhaps over her favourite brandy.

Anna's family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the staff and doctors in palliative care at Niagara Regional Hospital her wonderful PSW's throughout the years. Special thanks to Dr. Waler, Dr. Gruber, and Dr. Jansen for their compassionate and loving care of Anna, and helping to ensure she lived a long and beautiful life.

Anna's family will receive friends at the BOCCHINFUSO FUNERAL HOME, 2 Regent St, Thorold, on Thursday, December 21, from 2:00 -4:00 and 6:00 -8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 5 Oblate St., St. Catharines, on Friday, December 23, at 10:00 AM. Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 600 Spring Gardens Rd., Burlington. A heartfelt Prayer of the Rosary will be celebrated at the funeral home on Thursday, December 21, at 6:30 pm. Memorial donations in memory of Anna to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences can be made at www.bocchinfusofh.com/.

As we bid farewell, let us remember Anna with the words of a Polish verse that resonates with her spirit and faith: "Niech spoczywa w pokoju wiecznym" (May she rest in eternal peace).