In loving memory of my mother, Regina Aurelija Celejewski (nee Mackeviciene), who passed away peacefully at Labrada Long Term Care Home on April 15, 2023 at the age of 98 (11 days shy of her 99th birthday).

Beloved wife of the late Boguslaw Wincenty Celejewski (1971), mother to the late Beata Violetta Celejewski-Henderson (2022) and Grazyna Maria Dudar (Donald). Babcia to Adam Dudar (Masha), Stephanie Femia (Frank), Elyse Pechey (Nick), Alexandra, Gabriella and Victoria (Michael). More Babcia to Christian, Ethan, Polina, Tatyana, Jacob and Tommy.

Regina was born in Lithuania on April 26, 1924. During World War II, she was taken by the Germans to Germany to work in a bomb factory. There, she met her husband and they married on March 5, 1946. In 1948 my father, my mother and my sister left Germany, came to Canada, settling first in Hamilton, ON before moving to Toronto in 1954.

Regina worked for Canada Life Assurance Company for over 25 years and retired when she turned 65. She then spent most of the time at the cottage she and her husband built in 1967 in Kaszuby (Barry’s Bay). My mother was also very active at the Lithuanian Martyrs’ Church in Mississauga working with other parishioners in organizing Sunday coffee socials and the New Year’s Eve dance. Anyone who knew her, recognized her unlimited drive and energy, whether working at the cottage, making rounds at the local vendors or at Madonna House or selling pastry or pouring coffee at Church. There was no challenge she would not take on.

In 2018, she began to reside at Chartwell White Eagle Long Term Care Home due to the onset of Alzheimer’s related dementia. The last months of her life were spent at Labrada Long Term Care. I would like to thank all the staff at both locations for taking care of her during the last years of her life. Words cannot express my gratitude for your dedication and commitment to the residents.

A Funeral Mass will be held at the Lithuanian Martyrs’ Church (2185 Stavebank Rd, Mississauga, ON L5C 1T3) on Friday, April 28, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be at the Church for an hour before the Mass.

My mother will be laid to rest beside her husband at St. John’s Lithuanian Cemetery following the Funeral Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada would be appreciated.