It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the loss of Stella Szustaczek, who passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital on July 22, 2025 at the age of 89.
Predeceased by her first husband John Szustaczek and second husband Stanislaw Chorzempa, she leaves behind her son John (Tanya) and her daughter Christine (John), grandchildren Jonathan, Kyla, Eric and Natalie, and many extended family members in Canada, Poland, Slovakia and Germany.

Born in Debno Poland, Stella moved to Canada in 1960 at the age of 24, to live with her older sister in Hanover, Ontario. She moved to Toronto a few years later, where she continued to work as a seamstress, and brought her mother, sister and brother to Canada. Nothing was more important to Stella than her family. She often remarked that the greatest gift was having everyone gathered under one roof. Her cottage on Georgian Bay was a cherished place where friends and family were always welcome, many core memories were formed, and laughter could always be heard.

Stella was a devoted educator, having worked as a teacher and principal of a Polish Language School for many years as well as a children’s catechist at St. Teresa’s Parish in Etobicoke. She ran a successful family construction business for decades with her first husband, deftly handling the finances and administration. She dedicated her volunteerism to the Polish community, where she helped establish a Polish Women’s Federation and organized countless fundraisers in the form of dances and bus trips with proceeds supporting charities such as orphanages in Poland.

Together with her second husband and her friends, Stella could be found traveling the world, enthusiastically soaking up new cultures and all that life had to offer. She was adventurous and stylish, but equally generous, patient, thoughtful, kind and grateful, and always optimistic, energetic and resourceful.

She will be dearly missed and joyfully remembered for all the goodness she brought to our lives.

Visitation will be held from 1-3pm on Saturday, July 26 at Turner & Porter Neweduk-ErinMills Chapel (Erin Mills and Dundas in Mississauga) and again with prayers in Polish on Sunday July 27 from 6-8pm.

Funeral mass will be held at 10am on Monday, July 28 at St. Teresa’s Parish, on 10th Street in Etobicoke.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice in honour of her memory.