Henriette Batkiewicz

Mom passed away peacefully last Saturday evening at the Palliative Care Unit at Sunnybrook Hospital.

Born Henriette Cordula Wymans on 19 August 1921 in Gentbrugge Belgium, Second of 3 daughters of Séraphin Arnold Wymans and Madeleine Wymans-Vanderkruis.

As a young girl, she received training in haute couture, and as a young woman operated her own private dress-making business in Belgium.

1939 to 1944 brought hardship to her life living under occupying enemy forces.

One evening in 1944, in celebration of the liberation of Gent from the occupying forces, she attended a dance. Mom was asked to dance by a young Lieutenant of the 1st Polish Armoured Division.......his name was Henryk (Henri).

This was to be the story of "Henriette et Henri"!!! She loved to tell this story.

Just a few days before her passing she told it one more time....and she had the biggest smile imaginable while telling it...despite the pain she was suffering.

On December 28, 1948....Henri and Henriette were married.

After the cessation of war in Europe, they lived for a short period of time in London, England, and then immigrated to Canada, settling in Toronto.

Before long Mom was operating a successful dress-making and design shop on Yonge St just north of Eglinton Ave, called Couture Henriette. The boutique was closed when our parents decided to have a family.

The years went by, and after the death of our Dad in 2002 she continued with strength and determination. She kept the promise that she made to our father on his deathbed, that "she would continue to look after the kids", despite that we were in our forties!!!

Mom....you faced your greatest last challenge with nothing but all your strength and will. We admire your strength and courage.

We thank you for the sacrifices you made, for the sake of our family.

You are remembered by your nieces Francine, Jeannine, Nadine, Michèle, and your nephew André, back in Belgium, and by their loved ones and family.

You were the last of an entire generation.

Merci Maman...Merci Tante Henriette.

We will all miss you dearly.

May you once again and forever .....be at the dance with Henri.

We love you Mom

Irene and Mark

We would like to thank the entire Palliative Care Team of Sunnybrook hospital for the tremendous care provided to our mother during such a difficult time. The respect and care for all of us over the past few days will never be forgotten.