Melania passed away peacefully in Toronto, surrounded by her devoted family, at the age of 89. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 58 years, Kazimierz Kraczynski, and survived by her elder brother, Benon, and younger sister, Honia. Melania was the loving mama (mother) of Mark (Elena) and Margaret (Michael), the proud babcia (grandmother) of Alexander, Sylvia (Misiek), Nicholas (Victoria) and Mikaila, and the cherished ciocia (aunt) of Sylwia.

Melania was born in Bydgoszcz, Poland, to Anastasia and Franciszek Wilczynski. As a child, she witnessed the horrors of Nazi occupation. After the war, her family moved to Gdansk, where she completed her elementary and high school education. She worked diligently as a bookkeeper - though her true passion was fashion design - until she met the love of her life, Kazik, at a family wedding. A short courtship led to a lasting marriage.

Kazik had to return to Canada, and Melania followed soon after, leaving behind her family and friends in Poland. Arriving in Toronto on her own in 1959 - quite the feat for a once-shy middle child - she embarked on a new journey in Canada. With her husband, she built a close-knit group of friends who became an integral part of their lives, effectively an extension of their family.

Her family soon grew with the addition of two children and, later, four grandchildren, all of whom were a fundamental part of her life. Melania spent the majority of her career working in the catalogue department at Sears Canada, allowing her to frequent the downtown shops. She was an avid sports fan, cheering on the athletic endeavours of first her brother and sister and then her children and grandchildren in person, as well as following sporting events, especially tennis, on television.

Melania loved entertaining friends and family, whether at home in the city or at the cottage during the summer. She had a passion for exploration and travelled extensively with her husband and friends to various destinations around the world, most notably the Holy Land. Special occasions and family celebrations held a special place in her heart, and she took joy in hosting them. Her faith remained a constant in her life, even at difficult times.

Friends are invited to pay their respects at the visitation, which will be held at the Turner & Porter Peel Chapel, located at 2180 Hurontario St., Mississauga, on Friday, December 27, 2024, from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. A Funeral Mass to honour and celebrate Melania’s life will take place at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 782 Brown’s Line, Toronto, on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 10 a.m. An interment will follow at St. John’s Dixie Cemetery, 737 Dundas St. E., Mississauga, along with a reception at the Mandarin Restaurant, 87 Matheson Blvd. E., Mississauga.

The family would like to extend gratitude to Doctors Bouchard and Veneziani and the nursing team at Princess Margaret Hospital for their compassion and dedication.

For those who wish, donations can be made to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.