Stella (Anastazia) Cygan passed away at home, peacefully, on the morning of Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at the age of 98, surrounded by her daughters and grandchildren. Stella was born in Babice, Poland, where she lived with her parents and two brothers, Jurek and Michal. In 1941, at the young age of 16, she was taken to Germany to work on a farm as a forced labourer. After the war ended in 1945, she worked at a Polish hospital in Germany for three years. In 1948 Stella immigrated to Canada where she met John. For John it was love at first sight. They raised their children in Toronto and moved to Mississauga later in their lives.

Stella has been described by her family and many close friends as brave, strong, resilient, hardworking, energetic, loving, compassionate, generous and kind, with a wonderful sense of humour. Stella was adored by her three daughters and five grandchildren who described her as their “precious Babcia”. Her family and friends have always been envious of her green thumb. Stella was able to grow any kind of plant or shrub from the cuttings she picked up in nurseries or from her own garden. She loved to play volleyball and take long walks at the cottage with her grandchildren. Among her other cottage past times, Stella admired and took great pride in the many hostas that she planted over the years and enjoyed watching the birds at the feeder. She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing and dance. Above all else, Stella cherished her loving family. She put each family member’s happiness and wellbeing ahead of her own.

Stella will be remembered by her daughters Helen, Irene and Jeannie and her grandchildren Ryne, Lindsey, Lauren and Marina. Stella was predeceased by her devoted husband, John, and her dear grandson, Kyle.

Visitation will be held at Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street W., at Windermere, east of the Jane Subway, on Monday, October 2nd from 4-8 pm. The Funeral Mass will be held at St Casimir’s Church, 156 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 10 am. Interment will follow at St Mary’s Cemetery.

If you wish to make a donation in honour of Stella, please consider donating to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Society.