Sophie Baytalan

(February 28, 1931 – April 19, 2021)

Sophie died suddenly, doing something she loved, gardening in her backyard. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Steve Baytalan who provided her her cherished home and ready-made family shortly after Sophie left communist Poland in 1966. She is survived by her children Angela (Allen Stewart) and Greg, and grandchildren Theresa Stewart (Sary In) and Ian Stewart (Aurélie Le Maître) and her best friend/sister and soul mate Bev Merrett. She will be missed by her cousins Barbara Pluta and Dana Kovach in Canada, Aunt Lydia Gastom in Florida, and many cousins, nieces and nephews in Poland. Predeceased by her parents, Mieczysław and Filomena Niemkiewicz, and brothers Franciszek, Bronisław (Lidia) and Zbigniew (Bogumiła), all of Poland. All who knew her marveled at her loving spirit, joy of life and her strong faith. Having survived separation from her parents when she was 8 years old at the beginning of WW II, and then deportation to Siberia, her determination and strong will never left her. She always finished the story saying her mother wrote numerous letters to Stalin to get her back to Poland. Public visitation with social distancing and masks by reservation only will be held in 30 minute intervals beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 23, 2021 at Comstock-Kaye Life Celebration Centre, 356 Rubidge Street, Peterborough (please reserve a visitation space at https://signup.com/go/BZjJdPx ).

A Private Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Peterborough at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 24, 2021. Relatives and friends are invited to view through livestream at www.comstockkaye.com (Scroll down to the service information for Sophie and click Join Livestream button 5 minutes prior to the service time). If so desired, donations may be made to Saint Anne’s Parish, 859 Barnardo Avenue, Peterborough On K9H 5W2

Online condolences can be made at www.comstockkaye.com.