Anna Sagan (nee Cielecki)

Anna, peacefully in her 99th year, has at last reunited with her dear husband Franek in heaven. Born in Poland, at the age of 14, she was taken from her home and sent to a work camp in Germany. There she met Franek and after many difficult years in forced labour during the war and two years in a displaced persons camp post war, immigrated to Canada with nothing but their deep Catholic faith, work ethic and resourcefulness, where they eventually settled in Hamilton and created a new home, raising three children: Frank (Maryann) Sagan, Henry (Anna) Sagan and Barbara (Patrick) Moore. Everyone who knew Anna learned through her example the meaning of true generosity and sacrificial love. She sponsored family members to come to Canada for a better life, and regularly sent provisions to family living in communist Poland. Anna believed in people and would lend money on a handshake. Even though she had very little, she gave her children and grandchildren what she did have—she lived without luxury so that others could live their dreams and find success. In heaven, she’ll be joining her “Pani” friends who met in V’al Dor Quebec upon arriving in Canada—all sharing similar stories of travelling post war to a new country. They remained friends for 70+ years meeting often for conversation over coffee and Pączki. Despite great difficulties, she lived a happy life. When her husband Franek was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, she never wavered in her love and devotion, caring for him tenderly through his lengthy battle. And when Anna began to experience dementia herself, by her own example she was lovingly taken in and cared for by her devoted daughter Barbara and son in law Patrick who were by her side, holding her hand until she took her last breath. “Babcia” was deeply beloved by her grandchildren: Jeffery (Dawn), Sonya, Michelle (John-David), Terrence (Robyn Lynn), Amy (Jason), Lisa (Aaron), Kristina (Mark), and affectionately called “Babcia-cia” by her great grandchildren: AJ, Julian, Benjamin, Mila, Olivia, Lily, Clementine, Ziggy, Lucia, Coda, Orin and Arleigh, whom she adored. They will miss her pierogis and “Babcia Cookies”, her soft hands and Polish rhymes. She will also be deeply missed by her surviving sister Gennia Zwarych (nee Cielecki). Our family has lost its matriarch. But we were privileged to know her and to be loved by her. Anna was the epitome of strength. She never returned to the home she was taken from at 14, but she created a new home in Canada built with love, generosity and selflessness. For her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren she became home. She taught us the value of hard work and how to persevere through life’s most difficult challenges with grace. Her memory and traditions will remain strong in our family as we live up to the example she set in life, never forgetting that a life well lived is one that is measured through making the lives of others better. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. The family would like to express their deep gratitude to father Charlie Galea for his support and prayers, and the staff at Chartwell Brant Centre for their care.

Visitation at Markey-Dermody Funeral Home, 1774 King Street East (at Kenilworth) on Friday September 1 from 5-8pm with prayers at 5pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Incarnation of Our Blessed Lord Parish, 400 Pottruff Road North, on Saturday September 2 at 10am. Burial to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Society would be appreciated. A livestream of the service will be available by clicking "Join Livestream" on Anna’s page at www.markeydermody.com.