On November 1st 2023, Feliksa Sykut Figiel passed away at the age of 99, surrounded by her family, 31 years to the day after her husband Mieczysław.

Feliksa lived an incredible life. She was born January 22, 1924, in Orlechowka in the district Włodzimierz-Wołyński, Poland. She was the youngest of 8 children who were all very close. She had a wonderful childhood until the war, when in 1942 she was deported to Germany where she was forced to work as a farm labourer.

After the war she was reunited with some of her siblings and moved to Gorzów Wlkp., where she studied and worked as a financial controller for the Polish Railways. She was a very talented artist and seamstress, never needing a pattern to turn out a beautifully tailored outfit. She seized every opportunity for adventure and learned to live every day to the fullest. She loved the outdoors, and most holidays were spent hiking or skiing with friends. In 1962 she immigrated to Canada, joining her brother who had already moved here with his family. It was not easy to find a job as an accountant, so she went back to school and eventually secured a job as a chemist.

In 1965 she met Mieczysław Figiel, they married and started a family. They were best friends and always supported one another. Feliksa gave up working as a chemist but she was never one to sit idle. She started to sew and design clothes. She was incredibly talented, able to create anything you could imagine. She developed a clientele that showcased her talents on the international stage. She had a huge heart, volunteered her time selflessly, and never expected to be thanked. She was on the internal audit committee for the Polish Credit Union Bank and the Polish Combatants Association (SPK), was the treasurer for Polish Scouting Groups, helped at Polish Scouting Camps, volunteered at the school library, and volunteered at the Polish Combatants Branch #20. She taught us the importance of giving back to the community.

She leaves behind her daughter Danusia, son-in-law Trent Haase, and four grandchildren, Konrad, Kamila, Stefania, and Elissa who all shared a very special bond with her. She was an integral part of their lives. She also lives on in the hearts of many cousins, nieces, and nephews in Canada, USA, England, France, and Australia. She will be lovingly remembered by all those whose lives she touched.

Friends may call at the Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street West, on Monday, November 6th from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Rosary to follow at 6:30 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at St. Casimir’s Church, 156 Roncesvalles Ave, on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.

Wieczny odpoczynek racz jej dać, Panie, a światłość wiekuista niechaj jej świeci. Niech odpoczywają w pokoju wiecznym. Amen.