Anna Cichecka

Anna Ernestina Cichecki (fem: Cichecka)

July 26, 1915 - September 5, 2014

Anna was born in the German population of Chorzow in Silesia, Poland to parents Karol and Paulina Schottke. After the Silesian Uprisings from 1919‑1921, the Council of the League of Nations handed the greater part of the Upper Silesian district to Poland. Thus, Anna was born a little German girl but became a little Polish girl overnight. Predeceased by her parents, husband Tadeusz (“Tadek”) in November 1997, son Leonard in April 2005 and daughter‑in‑law Dorothy (nee Stephens) in October 1997. She is survived by her family in Poland: sister Stefanie Morawiec, nephew Bogdan (Irina), great-nieces Anie and Agnieszka and their children, and her family in Canada: grandson John (Cindy), granddaughters Catharine (Ken Demosky), Jane (Shawn) May, great-grandchildren Chenelle and Billy Cichecki and Sarah, Emily and Ryan May. Anna married Tadek in May 1936. Leonard was born in October 1937. Tadek joined the Polish army in WWII; during the war Anna raised their son with fierce determination to keep him safe. She was a businesswoman and ran a successful drycleaning shop and bakery. Leonard immigrated to Canada in 1964; Anna travelled back and forth to visit her family in Canada between 1966 and 1989, and retired with Tadek in 1991 in Coquitlam, B.C. She obtained her Canadian citizenship in 1998. After 61 years of marriage, she took Tadek's ashes home to Poland in 1998, her last trip abroad. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed spending meals with them and slipping them chocolates on the sly. She liked fashion and jewellery and she cared about her appearance until the end. She had a strong Catholic faith; she said her last prayers in German, her first language. The family would like to thank the staff at Kopernik Lodge in Vancouver for their excellent care over the last nine years. Anna was resilient, and she rebounded from several serious illnesses with their help. Her strong heart took its last beat at Kopernik Lodge. We love you, Musia. May you be at peace with your family in heaven. Service and tea to be held at Burquitlam Funeral Home at 625 North Road in Coquitlam on Saturday, September 20th at 3pm.