Irene Przybylski, 79, of Toronto, Ont., formerly of Fort Frances, Ont., passed away there Monday, Jan. 25, 1999.
She was born July 18, 1919 in Wilno, Poland.
Irene was in nurses’ training during World War II when she was taken prisoner by the German army. While a prisoner of war, she escaped and ended up in Italy, where she worked as a nursing sister, and met Walter in the hospital.
In 1947, they were transferred to England, where Irene and Walter were united in marriage on July 6, 1947. While in England, Walter served as a major in the Polish Second Corps in the British Army.
Following the war in 1948, Irene and Walter immigrated to Canada and settled in Fort Frances, where she was employed at La Verendrye General Hospital from 1950 until her retirement in 1983.
Following her retirement, she moved to Toronto, where her sister was living.
She was predeceased by her parents, Mezian and Reinold; her husband, Walter Przybylski on Jan. 21, 1970; six brothers-in-law, Alexander Waroczewski, and Stanley, Joseph, Michael, Frank, and Bronie Przybylski.
Irene is survived by her sister, Janena, in Toronto, Ont.; sisters-in-law, Leona and Nellie; nephews, Edward and Richard of Toronto, Ont., and Steve and Marian of Poland; and nieces, Grace Perrotta and Valli Fairnington of Fort Frances, Ont.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 30, 1999 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances. Father Ed Kosa O.M.I. will officiate, with interment in Holy Cross Cemetery in Fort Frances.
Irene’s eulogy will be provided at the service by Charlene Wood.
Pallbearers will be Murray Fairnington, Ernie Brunetta, James Pochailo, Peter Monid, Mark Fairnington, and William Marmus.
Honourary pallbearers will be Laura Dillon, Mary Chittock, Bernice Armit, Bernice Boivin, Charlene Wood, Pat McPherson, Ellen Watson, Loretta Foran, and Ann-Elizabeth Johnson.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, P.O. Box 444, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.