Wanda
Wanda Oko
Blessed by God and Mother Mary who are forever watching over her, Wanda Oko passed away peacefully at Copernicus Lodge in Toronto on Monday, December 20th, 2021 who had recently turned 96th. Beloved wife of the late Jan Oko (2005). Dear mother of Mary Oko (Jeff Hoedeman), the late Julia Oko (2015) (Steve Brazeau) and Richard Oko.
Extremely focused on the things she set out to accomplish, Wanda's first sign of this trait was when she convinced her Mother, Stepfather and Step Brothers to leave their home in Eastern Poland at the end of WWII for what seemed to be a safer environment in Western Poland. Sadly this did not help them escape the reach of the Soviet Union and life was challenging in her early adult years.
Her immigration to Canada in 1959 was a quest to find safety and security before starting a family with her new husband Jan Oko. Wanda always felt that living in Canada was like being on the shoulders of God, a blessing she valued each day.
Wanda was an independent person who continuously found work opportunities to improve the standard of living for her family. Her most treasured work memory was when she secured a position at London Life after making many weekly visits to drop off job applications and talk to hiring staff. She was a hard worker and prided herself at never taking any time off for sick leave. She felt the people she worked with were like family and she constantly shared stories of the many people she interacted with each day. She continued working at London Life well into her 70s, requesting an extension each year when her Manager hinted it might be time to retire.
Wanda was never one to stay put or slow down. She loved to be on the move and road her bicycle throughout London well into her seventies. She was also always on the hunt for a new, better house and moved many times around London until she finally found her dream home.
Wanda was very connected to her Mom and despite the economic challenges that she and Jan faced in their early days in Canada, she found a way to bring her three young children to Poland for a vacation in the early 1970s to see their grandmother and family while learning more about their Polish culture and traditions.
Her determination to connect with lost family members was strong. One story involves a trip to Boston to find a lost aunt and cousin. When the cousin didn't appear to be home when she arrived, Wanda started talking to neighbours until she found someone who knew her relative who had a number to reach her. Wanda's efforts reestablished family ties that are close to this day.
Although Wanda was impacted by Alzheimer's in her later years, she was an inspiration and role model for how one can adapt and live with contentment as our health changes through life. Wanda's daughter Mary was inspired by Wanda's journey to advocate for senior's rights.
Her strong faith in God gave her continual strength to be a survivor and carry through despite the many challenges she faced over her lifetime. She is at peace now rejoined with family members who she loved and who have already passed. She will forever be remembered and kept close in the hearts of the many who knew her.
Visitors will be received in the O'Neil Funeral Home, 350 William St., London on Thursday, December 23, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Our Lady of Czestchowa Church,419 Hill St, on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at 1:00 p.m; followed by entombment in St. Peter's Cemetery, London.
Online condolences & Guest Book at www.oneilfuneralhome.ca
Live streaming of visitation - www.twitch.tv/ofh_london
Live streaming of mass - > Parish History (ourlady.cloudaccess.net)
As per COVID -19 regulations, all visitors will be required to be fully vaccinated, wear a mask, maintain physical distancing, and provide their name and contact information for contact tracing at both the funeral home and the church upon arrival.
The family has asked that flowers not be sent to the funeral home due to COVID restrictions and challenges. Donations can be made instead to the following groups:
· Copernicus Lodge
· Advocacy Centre for the Elderly (ACE)
· Ontario Health Coalition
· Nature Conservancy Canada
Extremely focused on the things she set out to accomplish, Wanda's first sign of this trait was when she convinced her Mother, Stepfather and Step Brothers to leave their home in Eastern Poland at the end of WWII for what seemed to be a safer environment in Western Poland. Sadly this did not help them escape the reach of the Soviet Union and life was challenging in her early adult years.
Her immigration to Canada in 1959 was a quest to find safety and security before starting a family with her new husband Jan Oko. Wanda always felt that living in Canada was like being on the shoulders of God, a blessing she valued each day.
Wanda was an independent person who continuously found work opportunities to improve the standard of living for her family. Her most treasured work memory was when she secured a position at London Life after making many weekly visits to drop off job applications and talk to hiring staff. She was a hard worker and prided herself at never taking any time off for sick leave. She felt the people she worked with were like family and she constantly shared stories of the many people she interacted with each day. She continued working at London Life well into her 70s, requesting an extension each year when her Manager hinted it might be time to retire.
Wanda was never one to stay put or slow down. She loved to be on the move and road her bicycle throughout London well into her seventies. She was also always on the hunt for a new, better house and moved many times around London until she finally found her dream home.
Wanda was very connected to her Mom and despite the economic challenges that she and Jan faced in their early days in Canada, she found a way to bring her three young children to Poland for a vacation in the early 1970s to see their grandmother and family while learning more about their Polish culture and traditions.
Her determination to connect with lost family members was strong. One story involves a trip to Boston to find a lost aunt and cousin. When the cousin didn't appear to be home when she arrived, Wanda started talking to neighbours until she found someone who knew her relative who had a number to reach her. Wanda's efforts reestablished family ties that are close to this day.
Although Wanda was impacted by Alzheimer's in her later years, she was an inspiration and role model for how one can adapt and live with contentment as our health changes through life. Wanda's daughter Mary was inspired by Wanda's journey to advocate for senior's rights.
Her strong faith in God gave her continual strength to be a survivor and carry through despite the many challenges she faced over her lifetime. She is at peace now rejoined with family members who she loved and who have already passed. She will forever be remembered and kept close in the hearts of the many who knew her.
Visitors will be received in the O'Neil Funeral Home, 350 William St., London on Thursday, December 23, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Our Lady of Czestchowa Church,419 Hill St, on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at 1:00 p.m; followed by entombment in St. Peter's Cemetery, London.
Online condolences & Guest Book at www.oneilfuneralhome.ca
Live streaming of visitation - www.twitch.tv/ofh_london
Live streaming of mass - > Parish History (ourlady.cloudaccess.net)
As per COVID -19 regulations, all visitors will be required to be fully vaccinated, wear a mask, maintain physical distancing, and provide their name and contact information for contact tracing at both the funeral home and the church upon arrival.
The family has asked that flowers not be sent to the funeral home due to COVID restrictions and challenges. Donations can be made instead to the following groups:
· Copernicus Lodge
· Advocacy Centre for the Elderly (ACE)
· Ontario Health Coalition
· Nature Conservancy Canada
To order memorial trees in memory of Wanda Oko, please visit our tree store.
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