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POLISH GRAVES

FR  /  PL

SAINT-SAUVEUR CEMETERY IN QUEBEC’S LAURENTIANS

Grave of Wanda Szczawińska

Grave of Wanda Szczawińska
(There is no tombstone as yet) grave #
[lot  C1 647C ]
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Wanda SZCZAWIŃSKA
born POLAKOWSKA

( 1921-1987 )
Born in Poland, daughter of an army officer. In high school in Radom edited the school's historical and literary magazines, was active in the scouting movement. Barely 18 at war's outbreak, she was recruited as a Guide and Red Cross nurse, took an active part in the underground resistance to the German occupants (ZWZ); was decorated for bravery. In 1942, married Mieczyslaw Szczawinski, a lawyer and fellow resistance fighter. Soon, both were arrested; her husband died after 3 months of torture, while Wanda was sent for five years to the Ravensbrück concentration camp.

Liberated in 1945, she wrote an unpublished war memoir "View from the other side". Brought to Sweden under Count Bernadotte's humanitarian plan, in 1951 she emigrated to Montreal where she worked in several corporations.

In her free time she studied linguistics, sociology and literature at Concordia University, and in 1977 graduated as the oldest student in her class.

Wanda contributed to Polish literary journals in England, and volunteered in a number of local community groups. Was awarded many distinctions. She is remembered as a lively, charming and interesting person. Died in Montral aged 66.
Her sister, Leonarda Buckiewicz, lies in grave no. 72 [lot C1 650].
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