Sophie Ostrowski

Sophie's journey through life began in Woclawik, Poland on August 2, 1922. Abandoned by a mother who

was ashamed of her and didn't want her and never knowing her father, she was lovingly raised by a very poor

woman who swept the streets for a living. Despite this, she tried her best to give Sophie a normal upbringing,

often going without so Sophie could eat, sometimes just a slice of bread spread with bacon fat. They lived in

an apartment building across from a cathedral, in the basement with a dirt floor. Sophie spent a lot of time in

church and the priests all adored her, often giving her beautiful bouquets of flowers to carry in religious

processions and to wear for her first communion. She excelled in school and had many friends, none of whom

looked down on her because of her social position. One of her very good friends was a Jewish boy who lived

upstairs in the same building. She would spend many hours there and his parents were always very good to

her. She lost touch with him when she came to Canada, but heard that he had become a doctor.

When she was 13 years old, her mother, who scarcely visited her over the years, sent her a passport to go

to Canada. She did not want to leave Poland, especially since she did not really know her mother. She burned

the passport. Her mother was livid and sent her another passport. She ran away to her uncle and he hid her

until the police found her and forced her to get on the ship. She crossed the Atlantic by herself at 14 years of

age, not knowing the language or directions. She found out later that her mother still did not want her, but that

the man she married had found out about her and insisted that she be brought to Canada. This man, Mike, was

very good to her, where her mother was not. Despite this, Sophie blossomed. She became close friends with

Helen, the daughter of one of her mother's friends. When she came to Canada, Sophie, at 14, was put into a

grade 5 class. She stayed for 3 months until the summer. In the fall, Helen took her to see the principal at the

Sault Technical High School for grade 9. He felt that she did not know enough English and told her to come

back when her English was better. They went back every week for the next 3 weeks. Finally, seeing her

absolute determination, the principal agreed to let her enter grade 9. She excelled in Math and Art, and drove

the teacher crazy with her countless questions in English, but everyone admired her tenacity and

determination. She score 100% wrong on every Spelling test, but her marks in Math and Art pulled her

through. She loved basketball and became the captain of the basketball team throughout high school.

Aside from all this, she was a bit of a daredevil. Once, while riding a bike with friends, she was coming

down the hill from Hiawatha Park. However, she did not know how to use the brakes to slow down, so she

ended up flying over the handlebars when she hit a rock on the road. She landed in a ditch, but said nothing to

her mother when she got home. The next morning, she was unable to get out of bed. The doctor said that she

had whiplash, among other injuries. Another time, she was riding in a car with friends and they hit a train and

rolled over. More injuries. Many accidents - many injuries, but she survived them all - tough!

When she graduated from high school, Sophie took a job at the General Hospital working the switchboard,

something she knew nothing about. This did not stop her, she learned on the job, but not before she made

many mistakes, including cutting Mother Superior off during a conversation with an important doctor. The

nuns all loved her, but eventually she left for other jobs, finally ending up as a waitress in the restaurant

around the corner from where they lived.

This is where she met Walter, who would become the love of her life. He was also Polish, his family having

come to Canada when he was 9 years old and settling on a farm in Saskatchewan. Although she was already

engaged to a man serving overseas and had a ring from him, Sophie began spending time with Walter. He

would be at her house playing cards well into the night and they soon became engaged. At this point, she

mailed the ring from the other man back to him. Sophie and Walter were married 3 months after they met, on

February 20, 1944. Although Sophie deeply resented coming to Canada, she realized later how blessed she

really was - since war had broken out and many of her friends were sent to work farms, many dying as a result.

Walter worked at the Chromium and Smelting plant as a pipe fitter and life was good, However, she would

make his lunch every day and most days it would contain a sardine sandwich. Not wanting to upset her, it took

Walter 2 years before he finally confessed that he hated sardines!

On March 18, 1946, Sophie gave birth to their one and only child, Sonya. This day was a beautiful spring

day and Walter came to see them dressed only in a suit - no coat, no boots. At first, they lived upstairs at her

mother's house, but soon bought a little house on Sixth Ave. with a big yard. Life was good and in 1953, they

bought their first car. This was followed, in 1956, with a new house in the east end on Wellington St., where

Sophie lived for 60 years, until the end.

This house was full of memories, both good and bad. In March 4, 1965, Sophie welcomed her first

grandchild, Desiree and in August 4, 1966, her second grandchild, Melissa. Everyone lived together and the

grandchildren grew up here. Sophie decided that she wanted to work again, so she went to the Empire Motor

Hotel, told the manager that she wanted a job! He asked her if she knew how to make mixed drinks. Well, of

course she did. (not). She got the job and worked there for 20 years, learning on the job with the help of the

bartenders. There's that strength of spirit and determination again.

Sadly, on August 22, 1976, on a trip to visit Walter's relatives in Saskatchewan and Alberta, he passed away.

This was devastating to everyone. He had a heart attack while visiting his mother on the farm. By the time he

got to the hospital, 30 miles away, it was too late. At first, the doctors were planning to send him to Saskatoon,

where there was better equipment. When the doctor came to say that there was nothing more they could do,

Sophie assumed that they were sending him to Saskatoon, that the ambulance had arrived. But the doctor

said, "No, he's dead"! Just like that! She held a funeral service for him in Saskatoon, for his brother and his

sister and her family from Alberta. He was then flown back home - we drove for 4 days. The funeral was 9

days later, and he looked as good as he did the first day!

A period of depression followed, due to the sudden shock of Walter's passing - he was only 60 years old.

Now what? She was only 53 years old.

She confessed that she had always secretly longed to be a nurse, but had never had the opportunity. So,

knowing that she lacked courses in Science, Biology and Medical Terminology, she enrolled at Sault College

for the Medical Terminology course, and then at Sir James Dunn High School for the Science and Biology

courses, studying with grade 13 students. Armed with her new courses, she applied to Elliot Lake Nursing

School to become an RNA. She was accepted and after a year, she graduated with her degree. She was hired

by the General Hospital and worked mostly in the Chronic Care Department. She loved working here, her

lifelong dream fulfilled at last. Unfortunately, it was not to be. After working as a nurse for 2 years, she was

rear-ended on her way to work one morning. The crash activated old injuries and left her unable to continue

working. She had to retire from the hospital and more depression followed. But she would not be retired for

long. She soon got a job at St. Mary's Nursing, going into homes and caring for patients one on one. She

worked here for a few years until her injuries became too painful and she had to quit.

In the years that followed, she had much to occupy her time. Sonya married Gino Masotti on December 28,

1985 and she arranged a huge dinner at the Polish Hall for the reception. Desiree and Melissa were both in

beauty pageants, which required some travelling - to Sudbury, Alabama, California and Hawaii. She loved it all,

especially accompanying the girls to Hawaii!

Ever the nurse, she loved giving everyone medical advice, but rarely took it herself. in 1991, she suffered a

major heart attack. She was taking care of our dog, Vivian, the parrot, Señor Juan Carlos Pepito Gonzalez -

Peppy for short, as well as her cat, BooBoo. Not feeling well for 5 days, she continued to have a rum and coke

every evening to settle what she diagnosed as indigestion. Finally it got too bothersome, so she drove to the

hospital on her own. She was immediately admitted to Emergency, where she suffered another heart attack.

She kept telling the nurses that she had to go home for a bit and she would be right back. No go. We were in

Toronto visiting Desiree - Father Burns called to tell us what happened and we returned the next day. She

recovered, though slowly, couldn't drive for a few weeks or climb stairs. She was not happy. Finally she got

the green light to do whatever she wanted, including driving. She was ecstatic!

Her life was enriched even more with the birth of her first great-grandson, Alexandre Christiene, on August

21, 1993, and then her first great-granddaughter, Tabris Cecelia, on January 4, 1996. She accepted and loved,

without reservation, her adopted grandson, David Walter Igor Jude, who came from Russia in April of 1998, at

the age of 8 1/2 years, treating him no different from the others. She enjoyed her growing family and always

made desserts for Sunday and holiday dinners. As the children grew, she was given the name Cookie Babcia,

because of all her desserts. She was in her glory. She even had license plates for her car that read COOKIE B!

Then, in August of 1989, tragedy struck the family. Melissa, 23 years old, and studying print journalism in

Ottawa, was hospitalized with meningitis and encephalitis and was in a coma, not expected to survive - given

only a 5% chance. Father Burns had the people pray for her at every morning mass and even the nuns in

Ireland prayed. Everyone went to be with her and she came out of the coma after one week. The doctors, all

10 of them, said that it was a miracle she came out of the coma. Nevertheless, she remained in hospital for 2

months. Sophie stayed with her for the month of September, travelling to and from the hospital by bus, while

Sonya and Gino had to go back to work. Sonya took a leave and took over for October, after which Melissa

came home.

Sophie spent countless hours caring for Melissa while Sonya and Gino worked. The dinners and desserts

continued and were usually followed by card games, which Sophie won more often than not. Then the casino

was built. This was a great pastime for Sophie and a good place to meet new people.

2009 brought us one of the greatest miracles. One Sunday in November, after the night mass at which she

ministered, Sophie got really weak and couldn't walk. She was taken to the hospital and it was discovered that

she had another heart attack. She stayed in the hospital for 6 weeks, twice on life support, and the doctors

said that nothing more could be done. Father Burns came to visit often and was very upset that nothing was

happening. She was 86 years old at the time. Near the end of the 6 weeks, Father Burns had a heart attack and

passed away. That's when I decided to ask him for help. That night, I prayed that he would help her get to

Toronto for better treatment - she needed a double by-pass. The next day we were told that she was being sent

to Toronto by plane. When we got there I again prayed, this time to ask Father Burns to find Sophie the best

cardiac doctor he could. During the surgery, the nurses told me that Dr. Rao was the best cardiac doctor they

had. Then, of course, prayers went to Father Burns to help her get through the surgery safely. Partway

through the surgery, a nurse came out to tell me that all was going very well and that I could relax. This was

true - she made it through with flying colours. All of this took place between the time Father Burns died and

his visitation in the church! Truly a wonderful miracle. Once she recuperated, she felt amazing - no pain, no

tiredness, nothing that others who had had the surgery complained about.

She was a free spirit who could make friends wherever she went. Everyone loved her - they thought she

was such a cute lady, always friendly, yet always classy. She had a permanent twinkle in her eye and mischief

on her mind. She loved her family with her entire heart and soul and she loved God and her Church equally as

much. Her indomitable spirit served her well throughout her life - she never gave up on her dreams and she

never gave up on her family. She loved to cook and to bake, she loved music and she loved to dance. She was

also a model, modelling in fashion shows at the Mall. She loved to sing and joined the Senior Choir, practising

every Tuesday morning and performing in nursing homes and retirement homes around the city for Christmas

and Spring, usually about 14 concerts each season. She loved to act, first in some local Polish plays and later,

in professional movies, her favourite being The Masked Saint, in which she played a disgruntled parishioner, a

role specifically made for her by the director and named Sophia. She loved to play cards and would play every

Sunday after family dinner. She loved to travel and would jump at any opportunity to do so, going out west to

Saskatchewan and Alberta, to visit Walter's family, to Florida, after Walter died, to Gadsden, Alabama, to Los

Angeles and Hawaii, for beauty pageants with Desiree and Melissa, and to Detroit to visit family on her

mother's side. Sophie could always be found cheering at skating and dancing competitions and beauty

pageants, as well as at every theatre production we were in - attending every night of the production, never

failing to give standing ovations at each performance. She truly had a gypsy spirit! She made the best

cabbage rolls in the world and she prided herself on her cooking and baking. She loved the sun - no day was

ever too hot or too humid for her. Sophie could usually be found soaking up the sun in her backyard gazebo or

mowing the lawn in her bathing suit. She was a beautiful spirit, inside and out, and she will be greatly missed

by her family and everyone who knew her. She was also there to give comfort and support when our dog,

Vivian, at 18 1/2 years old, and then Sadie at seven had to be put down, when her beloved cat, BooBoo and

then Peppy the parrot passed away. She attended all pet funerals over the years and many of her pets are

buried in her backyard. She was outspoken and always said what was on her mind, whether you liked it or not.

You always knew where you stood with her. Sophie was bossy, too, and sometimes overbearing, a true Leo,

but we all loved her. She embodied all of the positive traits of a true Leo - she was kind and generous to a

fault, energetic and optimistic, headstrong and opinionated with a magnetic personality. Monsignor Burns

used to call her the Sergeant Major because she was always telling him and everyone else at church what to do

and how to do it, especially the ushers. Yet, she was a gentle soul, kind, loving, caring and generous to a fault

where her family was concerned. And wonder of wonders, she loved her bling, the shinier the better. She was

never without her red Swarovski crystal earrings and diamond necklace, even when she was in the hospital.

Also, she loved to be called Sophia, as she always said - just like Sophia Loren.

2016 was a very bad year for Sophie, beginning on New Year's Eve with dinner at the Casino. She ordered

the chicken, which came with a sauce that she did not order and did not want. The waitress impatiently agreed

to bring her another order. The next day she suffered severe stomach pains and had to go to Emergency. She

had food poisoning. Once released, she found herself in Emergency two more times, the result being an

inflamed gall bladder. Her menu was to be greatly limited to bland foods, which she hated. The doctors

refused to remove her gall bladder because of her age, so she suffered through the bland diets and was forced

to eliminate foods that she loved. Her health and quality of life began to decline.

When she was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 93, she showed amazing courage and was a

beacon of hope for all of us. She was determined to beat this dreadful disease! She travelled to Sudbury three

times for extremely painful internal radiation. She endured chemotherapy and two complete rounds of

radiation, never losing hope. But, sadly, the cancer continued to spread, finally going into her spine and

causing her immense pain. She became very weak and lost a lot of weight. Once in the hospital, she began to

lose the strength to walk and, even though we walked the corridors of the hospital with a walker to build up her

strength, it soon became too strenuous for her even for that. Now bedridden, she began to lose hope, yet tried

not to show it. Unable to eat solid food, Sophie was put on a blended diet, which we had to feed to her. Often

she would finish eating and ask if she had eaten and what she had eaten. Father Hamish was called and he

administered the last rites, for the third and final time. The following day, she rebounded and spent a few

wonderful hours with all of the family. She was happy - she joked and laughed and enjoyed this time with her

family. She spent a lot of time sleeping in the next couple of days, and spoke to someone in Polish. When

questioned, she said that "they" were just looking around. Who? Her husband? Her mother? She said that

God had told her that she had 2 more months, but, in reality, it was only 2 days. On Monday, September 26,

2016, we could not raise her for supper. When the doctor was questioned as to whether Sophie was in a coma,

she responded that the word coma was no longer used, but that she was unresponsive. Sophie fought so

hard to stay with us, but God had other plans. Her beautiful spirit was needed elsewhere - Walter and the

angels were waiting and we had to let her go. Sadly, Sophie passed quietly away 2 hours later at 7:45 pm. No

longer in pain, she joined the love of her life, Walter, in heaven. She left behind a heartbroken family who will

mourn her loss to the end of their days, but she is finally at peace from the troubles of this world.

As a tribute to her constant support of everything I did, I sang The Wind Beneath My Wings to her at the

Senior Choir Fun Night 4 months before she died. It was my way of thanking her and telling her how much I

respected her and appreciated all her help and love through the years. She always loved the song Memories

and wanted Melissa to sing it for her after she died, which Melissa did beautifully after prayers at the funeral

home. Desiree was to write the eulogy, but had no idea as of the night before the funeral mass. After the

visitation, she stayed behind, held Sophie's hand and asked for guidance. She received it absolutely and

perfectly, and when she read it at the mass, everyone was in tears at its beauty and simplicity.

Now, she and Walter walk hand in hand through the beauty of heaven that she envisioned in her dreams,

watching over all of us, their love always surrounding us. Sometimes, I smell her perfume and I know that she

is near. There have been other signs, as well, that prove that life and love endure beyond death, and that our

loved ones who have passed before us never leave us. Knowing that she is free from pain and safe in heaven

with Walter is a wonderful comfort. Someday, we will all be together again and nothing will ever separate us.

That will be a most glorious reunion! God bless you, Mom, Babcia, Cookie Babcia. Rest in eternal peace! We

will love you forever and you will live in our hearts for all of our days. Ja cie kocham!

OSTROWSKI, Sophie was gently carried into heaven in the loving arms of her husband, Walter, on Monday, September 26, 2016 at the age of 94. She died peacefully, with the same dignity and grace with which she lived her life. Predeceased by her mother, the late Alexandra Szczepanek, she will be dearly missed by her loving daughter, Sonya Masotti (Gino). Sophie was an amazing Babcia to grandchildren Desiree Ostrowski (late Ron Lusterio), Melissa Ogden (Jim) and David Masotti, as well as a devoted and cherished Cookie Babcia to great-grandchildren Alexandre and Tabris Lusterio. She was a shining example of strength and determination throughout her life and her indomitable spirit and inner strength will forever be remembered by all who knew her. Sophie was born in Wloclawek, Poland, on August 2, 1922, and she imigrated to Canada from Poland at the age of 14. She graduated from the Sault Technical High School, where she was the captain of the basketball team. In 1944, she married Walter, who predeceased her in 1976. When she decided that it was time to work outside the home, she became a cocktail waitress at the Empire Hotel, now the Holiday Inn Express. She loved this job and the people she met, and stayed there for over 20 years. Following her husband's death, she pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse and, upon graduation, worked at the General Hospital, mostly in the chronic ward. After her retirement, she continued to care for patients in their homes through St. Mary's Nursing. She was an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist for over 30 years at Precious Blood Cathedral, first at the Sunday night mass, then at the 11 am mass on Sunday. She was so proud to have this honour of giving communion to the people. She loved to play cards and this was a weekly ritual after Sunday dinners with family. In her later years, she became an actress, acting in many of the movies filmed here, and in 2013, she filmed The Masked Saint, in which she played a disgruntled parishioner, a special role created by the director, just for her, and named Sophia. Her talents also included singing with The Senior Singers and visiting nursing homes at Christmas and in the Spring to entertain the residents. Her infectious smile, her abundant energy, her deep religious beliefs and her unselfish love for her family knew no bounds. She had a positive effect on everyone who knew her. Rest in eternal peace, precious one, and God bless you. You will be forever remembered with love, pride and thanksgiving by your family. We are so privileged to have been such an important part of your life. You will be in our hearts, our thoughts and our prayers until we meet again in heaven, where we will finally be together forever. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Thursday, September 29, 2016 from 6 – 9 pm. Funeral Mass from Precious Blood Cathedral on Friday, September 30, 2016 at 10 am. Rev. Hamish Currie officiating. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lusterio Childrens Education Trust Fund, in care of & checks payable to “MacDonald & Poitras Law Firm in trust”.

Thank you to pallbearers Alexandre Lusterio, David Masotti, Ed Corelli, John Kohmire, Bruce Vilella and Jim Ogden

Eulogy for Sophie Ostrowski

The Family Needle

What is the measure of a life? What is the meaning of a life well lived?

A needle. My Grandmother was the needle that took the pieces of a family

and with the thread of love weaved together the past and the present, and

created a unique and extraordinary blanket of unity and connection.

Her story began with both abandonment and great love at the same time.

Left in Poland by her mother and raised with love by another wonderful

and loving woman was the first piece of the family blanket. Eventually,

when her mother brought her to Canada to join her 14 years later, it was

both traumatic and difficult. This, the second piece of the blanket, had

been created. My grandmother did her very best to accept that she was

leaving behind someone whom she loved deeply to fulfill an obligation

and duty to her biological mother. Although my grandmother fought this

at first, she made the decision to accept it and try to form a new life in

Canada with her mother. The blanket now had the fabric of family duty

and obligation, as well as a great forgiveness and determination to

succeed. With duty, obligation, forgiveness and determination, the fabric

was made sturdy and strong. It was also beginning to take on the beauty

of love given and received by the wonderful woman in Poland, through

her sacrifice and her unselfish devotion.

As time went by, my grandmother was able to weave the two pieces of

that blanket together with her needle of love. Remembering her past, but

not holding on to it, made her available to be her highest and best self,

creating hope, the third piece. Hope became the colours of the blanket

that changed constantly with each piece added. The fourth piece of the

blanket was marrying Walter, my grandfather. She used her needle again,

weaving all four pieces together to create a seamless and soft, cozy

blanket.

The fifth piece was the birth of my mother, Sonya, the beautiful baby who

strengthened the beauty of the blanket of love.

Many, many more pieces were added through the years. My grandmother

rarely complained and always accepted, even though there were some

difficult times. Helping my grandfather, and standing steadfastly by his

side through the struggles he encountered, not only gave that blanket

more hope, but once again her determination to overcome made that

blanket stronger. Year after year, she used that needle to brighten the

colours of hope and to weave the pieces together with even greater love

each time.

She knew loss well, but it was never enough to rip a tear or snag in that

blanket. Her blanket of love, which she unknowingly created in her family,

continued to grow stronger and more beautiful and brighter with each

passing season of her life. She placed into that blanket prayers for all of

us, all the time. God was the designer of her blanket and she knew that

with an unwavering faith. She counted on God to lead and guide her

every step of the way.

She also glazed that blanket with a thorough knowledge of family, both

past and present, and delighted us all for years with stories about our

history. She made sure that the blanket touched, not only our immediate

family, but our relatives, as well. My grandmother used that needle to

connect us deeply to her family in Detroit and also to my grandfather's

family in Saskatchewan and Alberta. She added to her blanket for us the

fibres of connection, respect and familial loyalty and devotion.

As you can well imagine, that blanket was solid and tough as a rock, but

yet, as soft as lamb's wool. The blanket is as she was - strong, tough,

solid, yet so very soft, all at the same time.

When facing illness, pain and adversity, she added the lightness of

laughter to her tears and her determination to win and overcome

overshadowed all her fears and provided her family with comfort.

When facing certain death, most doctors would be very solemn, but her

blanket touched even them. After an experience with my grandmother,

they would report…"I know what I would tell another family… But it's

Sophie!" (and they would simply shrug their shoulders) Even when

things seemed truly dire, Bishop Dunn, Monsignor Burns, and more

recently, Father Hamish, would come to give her the last rites. Each time

she rebounded! Proving that God is, indeed, in charge, and her deep

spiritual beliefs, coupled with prayers, only made that blanket more

miraculous! Now the blanket had sprinkles of the Divine and the golden

threads of God were added to give that blanket the graces that only God

can provide. Faith!

The truth is that somehow we all had that feeling, that hope that she

would live forever! Her last battle, though, was not a defeat, but her

greatest victory! She accepted God's call as she had always done

before. However, she left this family, and all those she loved, with that

mystical, spiritual blanket of Love! Through her blanket, created by God's

own design,she imbued all of its loving beauty on her family. She gave us

these memories and a map for living through her unconditional and true

love as she wove together this blanket that we all carry in our hearts and

souls. Created by Sophie and designed by God!

I love you and I thank you, Babcia, for the Gift of the Blanket and I pray

each day that I may be the needle to continue to weave the pieces of our

family together for generations to come!

And so, the measure and meaning of a life well lived is a needle.

A Tribute To My Mother

This has been a year like never before

A year filled with heartache and battles at Death's Door

So many memories still left to make

So many cookies still left to bake

Where did the time go - there was never enough

Words left unsaid once the going got rough

How much pain should one person endure

When the vision of Heaven holds such promising allure

A life ended too soon, but now resting above

In the arms of your sweetheart, nestled in love

You will never be forgotten - your memory will endure

In the hearts of all who love you

For whom your heart beats steady and sure.

We will miss you forever - our love knows no end

For you have been Mother, Babcia, Cookie Babcia

But, most of all, Friend

Rest in peace, Precious One

May God's eternal light shine forever upon you

Love always and forever,

Sonya, Gino, Desiree, Melissa, David, Alex and Tabris

THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS

IT MUST HAVE BEEN COLD THERE IN MY SHADOW

TO NEVER HAVE SUNLIGHT ON YOUR FACE

YOU WERE CONTENT TO LET ME SHINE, THAT'S YOUR WAY

YOU ALWAYS WALKED A STEP BEHIND

SO I WAS THE ONE WITH ALL THE GLORY

WHILE YOU WERE THE ONE WITH ALL THE STRENGTH

A BEAUTIFUL FACE WITHOUT A NAME FOR SO LONG

A BEAUTIFUL SMILE TO HIDE THE PAIN

DID YOU EVER KNOW THAT YOU'RE MY HERO

AND EVERYTHING I WOULD LIKE TO BE

I CAN FLY HIGHER THAN AN EAGLE

'CAUSE YOU ARE THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS

IT MIGHT HAVE APPEARED TO GO UNNOTICED

BUT I'VE GOT IT ALL HERE IN MY HEART

I WANT YOU TO KNOW I KNOW THE TRUTH, OF COURSE I KNOW IT

I WOULD BE NOTHING WITHOUT YOU

DID YOU EVER KNOW THAT YOU'RE MY HERO

YOU'RE EVERYTHING I WISH I COULD BE

I COULD FLY HIGHER THAN AN EAGLE

'CAUSE YOU ARE THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS

DID I EVER TELL YOU YOU'RE MY HERO

YOU'RE EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING I WISH I COULD BE

AND I, I COULD FLY HIGHER THAN AN EAGLE

'CAUSE YOU ARE THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS

'CAUSE YOU ARE THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS

I LOVE YOU, MOM

JA CIE KOCHAM

SIGNS FROM HEAVEN

My family has always believed that the dead send us signs, so when a

robin visited me last Spring, walking back and forth on my bedroom

window ledge, jumping up and down and pecking on my window every

morning, I knew she was trying to tell me something. This went on all

Spring until nesting time when the visits stopped. However, I received

one more visit at the end of summer when the robins were leaving. Again

the bird came , repeated the ritual as if to say good-bye and left. Try as I

could, I was baffled by these visits, although I had a strong feeling that

something was about to happen. That September my beloved mother

became very ill and died at the end of the month. I now realize that my

father sent the bird to show me that he was waiting for my mother and

that they would be together again soon. I told him that next Spring I

expect to see 2 birds so that I would know that they were together.

I didn't have to wait long. A few weeks after my mother's death, a bird

flew on to the kitchen window ledge, doing the same ritual as before, then

flew on to the railing of the deck where a second bird joined him. They

stayed for a little while and then flew off together. I was filled with a

sense of peace at this beautiful sign. Then in February, the day before

their wedding anniversary, I received the most beautiful sign of all. I have

an orchid plant from Valentine's Day 5 years ago, that has never

rebloomed. There were no buds on it, yet, when we returned home that

evening, there were 2 perfectly formed orchids above the red ornamental

heart! I have received many signs from my mother, including the scent of

her perfume and her voice calling my name, but none as extraordinary as

the birds and the flowers. How better to show me that they are truly

together again! Thank you, Mom. I love you! Rest in peace.

THE WAY WE WERE

MEMORIES

LIGHT THE CORNERS OF MY MIND

MISTY WATER-COLOURED MEMORIES

OF THE WAY WE WERE

SCATTERED PICTURES

OF THE SMILES WE LEFT BEHIND

SMILES WE GAVE TO ONE ANOTHER

FOR THE WAY WE WERE

CAN IT BE THAT IT WAS ALL SO SIMPLE THEN

OR HAS TIME RE-WRITTEN EVERY LINE

IF WE HAD THE CHANCE TO DO IT ALL AGAIN

TELL ME - WOULD WE, COULD WE?

MEMORIES

MAY BE BEAUTIFUL AND YET

WHAT'S TOO PAINFUL TO REMEMBER

WE SIMPLY CHOOSE TO FORGET

SO IT'S THE LAUGHTER WE WILL REMEMBER

WHENEVER WE REMEMBER

THE WAY WE WERE

SIGNS FROM MOM

Song on radio - If Tomorrow Never Comes

2 birds on deck railing - one with red beak

VOICE - DON'T TAKE THAT JOB!

Scent of Blue Grass at home and at church

Her voice calling my name

Dream - she's smiling - she's warm and happy

Flowers - 2 perfect flowers on orchid plant for her anniversary- No buds

WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME

WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME

AND I AM NOT THERE TO SEE

IF THE SUN SHOULD RISE AND FIND YOUR EYES

ALL FILLED WITH TEARS FOR ME

I WISH SO MUCH YOU WOULDN'T CRY

THE WAY YOU DID TODAY

WHILE THINKING OF THE MANY THINGS

WE DIDN'T GET TO SAY

I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE ME

AS MUCH AS I LOVE YOU

AND EACH TIME THAT YOU THINK OF ME

I KNOW YOU'LL MISS ME TOO

BUT WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME

PLEASE TRY TO UNDERSTAND

AN ANGEL CAME AND CALLED MY NAME

AND TOOK ME BY THE HAND

HE SAID MY PLACE WAS READY

IN HEAVEN FAR ABOVE

AND THAT I'D HAVE TO LEAVE BEHIND

ALL THOSE I DEARLY LOVE

BUT AS I TURNED TO WALK AWAY

A TEAR FELL FROM MY EYE

FOR ALL MY LIFE, I'D ALWAYS THOUGHT

I DIDN'T WANT TO DIE

I HAD SO MUCH TO LIVE FOR

SO MUCH LEFT YET TO DO

IT ALMOST SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE

THAT I WAS LEAVING YOU

I THOUGHT OF ALL THE YESTERDAYS

THE GOOD ONES AND THE BAD

I THOUGHT OF ALL THE LOVE WE SHARED

AND ALL THE FUN WE HAD

IF I COULD RELIVE YESTERDAY

JUST EVEN FOR A WHILE

I'D SAY GOOD-BYE AND KISS YOU

AND MAYBE SEE YOU SMILE

BUT WHEN I WALKED THROUGH HEAVEN'S GATE

I FELT SO MUCH AT HOME

WHEN GOD LOOKED DOWN AND SMILED AT ME

FROM HIS GREAT GOLDEN THRONE

HE SAID, "THIS IS ETERNITY

AND ALL I'VE PROMISED YOU

TODAY YOUR LIFE ON EARTH IS PAST

BUT HERE LIFE STARTS ANEW"

SO WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME

DON'T THINK WE'RE FAR APART

FOR EVERY TIME YOU THINK OF ME

I'M RIGHT HERE, IN YOUR HEART

* * * * * * * * * *

OSTROWSKI, Sophie was gently carried into heaven in the loving arms of her husband, Walter, on Monday, September 26, 2016 at the age of 94. She died peacefully, with the same dignity and grace with which she lived her life. Predeceased by her mother, the late Alexandra Szczepanek, she will be dearly missed by her loving daughter, Sonya Masotti (Gino). Sophie was an amazing Babcia to grandchildren Desiree Ostrowski (late Ron Lusterio), Melissa Ogden (Jim) and David Masotti, as well as a devoted and cherished Cookie Babcia to great-grandchildren Alexandre and Tabris Lusterio. She was a shining example of strength and determination throughout her life and her indomitable spirit and inner strength will forever be remembered by all who knew her. Sophie was born in Wloclawek, Poland, on August 2, 1922, and she imigrated to Canada from Poland at the age of 14. She graduated from the Sault Technical High School, where she was the captain of the basketball team. In 1944, she married Walter, who predeceased her in 1976. When she decided that it was time to work outside the home, she became a cocktail waitress at the Empire Hotel, now the Holiday Inn Express. She loved this job and the people she met, and stayed there for over 20 years. Following her husband's death, she pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse and, upon graduation, worked at the General Hospital, mostly in the chronic ward. After her retirement, she continued to care for patients in their homes through St. Mary's Nursing. She was an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist for over 30 years at Precious Blood Cathedral, first at the Sunday night mass, then at the 11 am mass on Sunday. She was so proud to have this honour of giving communion to the people. She loved to play cards and this was a weekly ritual after Sunday dinners with family. In her later years, she became an actress, acting in many of the movies filmed here, and in 2013, she filmed The Masked Saint, in which she played a disgruntled parishioner, a special role created by the director, just for her, and named Sophia. Her talents also included singing with The Senior Singers and visiting nursing homes at Christmas and in the Spring to entertain the residents. Her infectious smile, her abundant energy, her deep religious beliefs and her unselfish love for her family knew no bounds. She had a positive effect on everyone who knew her. Rest in eternal peace, precious one, and God bless you. You will be forever remembered with love, pride and thanksgiving by your family. We are so privileged to have been such an important part of your life. You will be in our hearts, our thoughts and our prayers until we meet again in heaven, where we will finally be together forever. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Thursday, September 29, 2016 from 6 – 9 pm. Funeral Mass from Precious Blood Cathedral on Friday, September 30, 2016 at 10 am. Rev. Hamish Currie officiating. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lusterio Childrens Education Trust Fund, in care of & checks payable to “MacDonald & Poitras Law Firm in trust”.