Ahafia Babec

Ahafia (Kathy) was born into a Ukrainian family in Poland on January 27, 1922. Her father, Michael Wizna, was a farmworker and her mother, Maria, was a homemaker. She was the youngest child in the family. Her brothers and sisters all predeceased her. The war interrupted Kathy’s schooling and pushed her into farm labour under foreign occupation. Together with her husband Andrew Babec, she emigrated to Canada in 1947 and settled in New Westminster. Through the years Kathy held various jobs, including working in a bakery and in the kitchen of St. Mary's Hospital. She and Andy owned and managed an apartment building which they sold, then moved and retired in 1976. Kathy’s passion was ballroom dancing. She could often be found at the Pederson School of Dance practicing for her next competition. One of her favourite memories was the ballroom dance competition held in London. Kathy had a keen interest in nice cars and a fondness for Buicks. She had an impeccable eye for fashion and always dressed with a great sense of style. Later in life she was an active member of Century House. She also enjoyed going to the mall for coffee and conversation. Kathy’s dancing days ended abruptly in October 2007 when she suffered a major stroke. Even wheelchair bound, she was ever-determined to return to the dance floor. Spirited to the end, Kathy joined Andy for eternity on February 3rd, 2019. Many thanks to the devoted caregivers at Buchanan Lodge, New Westminster.