Maria (Mary) Matilda Dudzinski

Maria passed away quietly with her family around her on March 15, 2024, at Juravinski Hospital following a few days in hospital.

Maria was born in Krasne Poland on November 16, 1925, to Erasmn Woynillowicz and Jadwiga Slizien. She was one of four siblings (Wladislaw, Eleanor, and Jadwiga; late). Maria’s father married Anna following Jadwiga’s death in 1927. Maria spent her youth moving between city and farm life. Her father was a Captain (elevated to Marshall following Katyn execution), in the Polish Army so his family lived in Baranowicze and spent many joyful summers on family farms in Postujko. She spoke fondly about the vacation home … its forests, meadows, large vegetable gardens and orchards in addition to farm animals. She remembers the names of tutors and farm helpers proudly mentioning the family’s excellent cheese production. As the family farm was adjacent to property owned by Erasm’s parents, Maria and her siblings enjoyed the proximity of doting grandparents.

On Feb 10, 1940, as WWII broke out with Russians invading Poland, Maria (who was fifteen at the time), along with her stepmother and two sisters were deported by cattle car travelling for 10 days to Siberia where they endured the labor camp hardships until Fall of 1942. Despite inhumane conditions, Maria chose to document her thoughts in a journal portraying plants, birds, butterflies, and tiny animals. Sadly, Maria and sister Ela were orphans when they left Siberia.

Following the Russian amnesty, Iran welcomed the refugee children from Russian orphanages, so Maria was moved to Isfahan, fondly recalling its people, climate and culture. Maria’s ambition at the time she entered the American University of Beirut, was to become an Ophthalmologist, possibly because she was very short-sighted.

As the war ended, Maria happily reunited in England with sister Ela and brother Wladislaw. During this time, she met her future husband, Tadeusz, who similarly had endured the hardships of war and displacement from Poland.

They decided to start their lives together in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Tadeusz went on ahead to establish a home. They married by proxy in1951 allowing Maria to then travel by ocean liner, where she was thoroughly seasick to join her husband.

In Argentina, they had their first child, Barbara. Soon after they decided to build their lives and family in Canada joining Maria’s brother in Dunnville, Ontario, another unfamiliar place in an unfamiliar country. Shortly afterward they welcomed their second child, Richard (Susan). Ten years later, they had their third child Christine (Robert).

Maria (Mary) and Tadeusz (Ted) built a full and rich life enjoying the camaraderie of their close-knit circle of proudly Canadian, Polish friends as well as numerous neighbors and work colleagues. Maria, who had exquisite penmanship enjoyed and was enormously proud of her twenty-five years working at the Hamilton General Hospital. She was also very proud of having a driver’s licence which she acquired at the age of 55 barely able to see above the steering wheel given her tiny 4’10” frame.

Upon retirement at the age of 65, Maria took on her most favorite pastime as a grandmother to three boys: Daniel (Amanda), Lucas (Sadie) and Aaron (Emily). The unconditional love, support and understanding she bestowed on her grandsons over the many years of babysitting, adolescence and adulthood is now reflected in their enormous love and devotion to their grandmother.

The birth of her great grand-children Serena and Brody added a further dimension of love.

Following Ted’s death in Aug 2010, Maria continued spending time with family and friends. Stuie, her orange tabby never left her side.

Maria was a powerhouse contained within a tiny body, taking life’s many challenges head-on throughout her rich and eventful 98 years. She survived much, yet remained humble, kind, and grateful. Everyone loved Maria.

Cremation has taken place. Funeral mass will be held at St. Stanislaus Church (8 Saint Ann St, Hamilton, ON L8L 6P8) on Friday March 22, 2024, at 10:00am, followed by interment at East Lawn Cemetery (2280 Barton St E, Hamilton, ON L8E 2W8).

A luncheon will be served at Dom Polski (4 Solidarnosc Place, Hamilton ON L8L 2V3) at 12:30pm. We hope all will attend Maria’s celebration of life.

We will miss you terribly. STO LAT Maria!