Lucy Maria Czerwinski

Lucy was 65 years young. We say “young” because she always looked much younger than her actual age. Her delightful smile, her auburn hair, her lithe movements, her small frame - these all gave her a sweet, youthful aura that seemed to transcend her biological age.

Make no mistake though – as youthful and sweet as she was, Lucy was a force to be reckoned with. She had an inner steel which could surprise those that did not know her and her determination could move mountains. Even though Lucy was ill this past year, she bore her hardships with fortitude and always looked to the future. Her dogged tenacity at doing all she could was amazing to see and was a valuable lesson to us all. Lucy was grace personified.

Throughout her life her faith did not waiver. Lucy took comfort in being Catholic and saying the Hail Mary was a blanket that soothed her in her times of need. She belonged to a rosary prayer group for years and often prayed for the intentions of others.

In her profession as a teacher, she helped elementary children improve their reading skills. She was well-suited to this career as she was patient and kind and loved when she saw the kids making improvements. Lucy always found the time to give to others whether it was caring for her elderly parents, volunteering at a children’s camp, or surprising a dear friend by playing some violin pieces for his birthday.

She was a very natural and authentic person – there were no airs with Lucy – what you saw is what you got –perhaps that explains why she took so much solace in nature and animals. Lucy had a Forestry degree from U of T. She loved going to her island cottage and traipse through the forest and spend time on the river. It was her own sanctuary. In the Fall, she would pick mushrooms and tomatoes and make delectable foods.

Lucy was so very artistic. She also had a Fine Arts diploma and anything she turned her hand to turned out beautiful. She sewed clothes, knitted sweaters, and made beautiful stained glass art. Her Christmas sugar cookies were so beautiful that you didn’t want to eat them. They were mini works of art. She combined her love of art and nature by making beautiful framed wildflower art. Lucy was like the energizer bunny and just kept going: in her retirement, she decided to brush up on her Italian and took conversational classes.

But her talents didn’t stop there – Lucy had a passion for music. She was a singer and violinist. She was a member of St. Francis Parish church choir for over 30 years and had a wonderful alto voice. She mastered learning her parts in record time and then singing them perfectly.

But, with all her wonderfulness, perhaps her greatest talent was being a mom to Lucas. Lucy loved her role and her love for him knew no bounds. She was fiercely devoted to Lucas and he was always her top priority. Through thick and thin, they were a team and she was always his number one champion, always wanting the best for him.

Lucy was a wonderful mother, daughter, sister and friend to so many. In her final months, she was surrounded by so many kindred spirits whose lives she had touched over the years. Everyone pulled together to support her and love her and it is a testament to a life well lived. Lucy was very humble: whenever you complimented her on her talents, she always demurred and deflected the praise away. Lucy did not like to be the center of attention and preferred to let others shine instead. But it was exactly this attitude, with her special, humble, unassuming ways, that caused her beacon to shine the brightest of all. God bless you, Lucy.

A visitation for Lucy will be held Friday, August 9, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Jerrett Funeral Homes, 1141 St Clair Ave West, Toronto, ON M6E1B1. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at St. Francis of Assisi Parish - Toronto, 72 Mansfield Ave, Toronto, ON M6J 2B2.

Private cremation to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Francis of Assisi Church.