With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of Maria Banski in her 100th year, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Maria was born on February 11, 1925, in Popławy, Poland, and was the eldest of eight children. She grew up on a farm, helping raise her seven younger siblings. During World War II, at the age of 17, she was taken from her homeland and brought to Germany to work in a forced labour camp. She survived three bombing attacks during her time there and persevered until the war ended. It was during this time that she met her first husband, Ludwik Poltorak. They married in Germany in 1946 and were blessed with two daughters, Wiesia and Halina.
In 1952, Maria and her daughters immigrated by boat to Halifax, Nova Scotia, to join Ludwik. They eventually settled in Sapawe, Ontario, where they welcomed another daughter, Krysia. Due to Ludwik’s declining health, the family relocated to Port Arthur (now part of Thunder Bay) for medical care, where Ludwik sadly passed away in 1958. Maria endured life as a single mother until she later married her second husband, Jan Banski. At the age of 39, she was blessed with her fourth and youngest daughter, Lucy.
A devout Catholic, Maria was a long-time parishioner at St. Mary Our Lady Queen of Poland Church. She was an active member of the Rosary Circle and continued praying the rosary to the best of her ability until the day before her passing. She was also a dedicated member of the Polish Alliance of Canada, Branch 19, and the Polish Combatants Association, Branch 219. Until the age of 94, she spent several days a week at each hall, joyfully making perogies and cabbage rolls alongside her friends. She cherished attending community banquets and took great pride in her contributions over the years.
Family was central to Maria’s life. Although many relatives eventually settled in other parts of Canada, she treasured the times when everyone returned home to visit. She loved hosting gatherings in her beloved home on High Street and also enjoyed celebrations with extended family Lucja, Shoaa, Matthew, and Mehran Masoom.
At 95, Maria was diagnosed with dementia. Despite the many challenges that followed, she remained determined. When she moved into Southbridge Pinewood Nursing Home, her youngest daughter, Lucy, visited every evening, ensuring Maria was cared for with the dignity and respect she deserved. After breaking her hip at age 97, Maria received daily rehabilitation support from her devoted son-in-law Marek, who became like the son she never had. She was always overjoyed by visits from her granddaughters Jessica and Katarina, and more recently, her great-grand dog, Fury. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Southbridge Pinewood Nursing Home for helping with Maria’s care for the last five years.
As a World War II survivor, Maria’s strength and resilience were an inspiration to all who knew her. Her unmatched work ethic lives on through generations. Despite facing many hardships, she always found the silver lining and pressed forward with courage and hope. Maria was a feisty, social butterfly who will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched.
Maria was predeceased by all her siblings; first husband Ludwik (1958); second husband Jan (2000); her daughter Halina (2019); son-in-law Larry (2020); and granddaughters Jennifer (1977) and Tammy (2020).
Maria is survived by her loving daughters: Lucy (Marek) Kowalczyk, Wiesia (Joe Pereira) Bodner, and Krysia Poltorak. Cherished grandchildren: Katarina (Iain Pearce) Kowalczyk, Jessica (Jordan LeBlanc) Kowalczyk, Melanie (Bryan) Armstrong, Robert Bodner, Christopher Gilkinson and Derek Gilkinson. Great-granddaughters: Katherine (Matthew) Vaillant and Cassandra Gullett; and great-great-grandson, Bennett Vaillant. She is also lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews in Poland.
Services will be held on Monday, July 14, 2025 in St. Mary Our Lady Queen of Poland Church, 93 Algoma Street North, with Funeral Mass to be celebrated beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Andrew’s Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 13th from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. in the R. Leino Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 Cumberland Street North, where the Prayer Service will begin at 4:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay or St. Mary Our Lady Queen of Poland Church.
Condolences may be offered at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca
