Obituary of Krystyna Janusz

With great sadness, Krystyna’s family announces the sudden death of their beloved mother, sister, grandmother and auntie. Krystyna passed away at the age of 72 years in Winnipeg on December 8, 2020. Left to mourn is her daughter Catherine Young (nee Janusz), (Catherine’s husband, Roderick) and grandson (Catherine’s son, James (Burrows)). Also mourning her loss are her siblings and their spouses and children; brothers Richard Janusz (Laureen), children Roza and Morketa; Gregory Janusz (Patricia), children Alex Janusz (Marie-Ève Barbeau) and their daughter Elodie; Nick Janusz (Kristen McCulloch) and sister Halina Gospodyn (Joe). Krystyna was predeceased by her parents Aleksander Janusz and Beryl Janusz (nee Brown). Krystyna was born on October 22, 1948 in London, England. At a young age Krystyna moved with her parents and brother to St. Fillan’s, Scotland, where her younger siblings were born. Krystyna attended the St. Fillan's primary school. She moved with the family to Canada in 1958, first settling in Regina, Saskatchewan and then moving to Winnipeg in 1959. Krystyna attended both St. Ignatius school and St. Mary's Academy. Krystyna was a brownie and girl-guide, and in her youth attended guide camp at Caddy Lake, enjoying camping, canoeing, swimming and hiking. Krystyna also attended the Royal Winnipeg Ballet as a student. Krystyna loved to dance, swim, sing, paint and spend time with the family, especially Sunday outings at Assiniboine Park (there are many family photos taken there). Krystyna loved to visit the conservatory there, but her special place to visit was the "English Gardens" across from the duck pond. Krystyna liked to play chess and checkers with her father and brothers. The family shared many happy hours playing card games, long monopoly games and worked on jig-saw puzzles together. Krystyna continued these activities with her daughter and grandson, as well as at family gatherings with her niece and nephews. Krystyna always had a love of art in all forms. She was also passionate about history, especially Egyptian history and had sketches she had made from Egyptian paintings. Krystyna once designed and made historic period costumes for her daughter's barbie doll. She had a panache for style. Krystyna worked for a few years with Zolmark Industries and also as a volunteer with the Arthritis Society of Manitoba in their library. Krystyna gave her daughter Catherine a love of Science Fiction including: Dr. Who, Star Trek, Star Wars and NASA rocket launches. Krystyna, Halina and their mother, Beryl, with Catherine together often watched the shows All Creatures Great and Small, various Masterpiece Theatre and Mystery shows. Krystyna enjoyed gardening, flower arranging, knitting, cross-stitch and embroidery. She also had a love of animals rescuing rabbits, cats and even once a frog. Her last cat Miss Lemon was a rescue whom she missed greatly. From her apartment she loved to watch the birds and squirrels playing in the pine tree outside her window. Before Covid, Krystyna often got together with her knitting group. Nadine & Frances were two of the ladies she spoke of. Their knitting group knitted and donated baby clothes to a Winnipeg hospital group for premature babies and they knitted blankets for the Winnipeg Humane society for dogs and cats. The family wishes to thank the Winnipeg Police/Paramedics and Winnipeg Medical Examiner for their kindness and help at this difficult time. Thank you also to Dr. Robillard and staff for their care of Krystyna over many years. The family will be having a private virtual remembrance of Krystyna, and a private memorial will be held in the spring or summer. Donations in remembrance of Krystyna can be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society or the Arthritis Society of Manitoba. Krystyna liked to follow all the explorations into space and always talked about how thrilling it was to watch man's first landing on the moon. “Free of illness and pain you are now free our dear Krystyna to explore space free of earthly restrictions. Loved and forever missed. Your family.”