Teresa Rybakowicz

It is with great sadness that the family of Teresa Rybakowicz announces her passing. Teresa passed away peacefully on Monday, December 30, 2024, at the age of 93. She was predeceased by her husband, Alek Rybakowicz; her sister, Janina Obrocki; her brother-in-law, Mike Obrocki; her mother, Josefa Lotysh; her nieces, Danuta Szala and Teresa Mulvihill; and great-nephew, Stephen Szala.

Teresa is survived by her nieces, Krystyna (Gary) Popp and Elizabeth (Ron) Shirkey; her nephew-in-law, Gary Mulvihill; her nephew, J. Andrzej (Dixie) Obrocki; her great-nephews and great-nieces, Frank, Christopher, Sabrina, Tim, Jennifer, Nichola, Jeff, Andrew, and Kaitlyn; and numerous great-great nieces and nephews.

Born on April 26, 1931, in Duszniki, Poland, Teresa endured the hardships of World War II, working in a German munitions factory alongside her mother and sister. After the war, she moved to Saskatchewan, first to Pense and later to Regina, where her family had relocated. Teresa began her career at the CP Rail Hotels in Regina, and later transferred to the Palliser Hotel in Calgary, Alberta, where she worked until her retirement. She enjoyed sharing stories of the famous people she met there, including Bing Crosby.

Teresa met the love of her life, Aleksander (Alek) Rybakowicz, within the Calgary Polish community. They married in 1970 and enjoyed a life full of travel and time spent with family and friends until his passing in 1997. 

Teresa was the glue that held the family together. An avid cook, she loved to share her Polish traditions and foods by hosting dinners, celebrations, and Sunday lunches for all her family and friends. She had a green thumb, growing not only beautiful flowers but also a large vegetable garden from which she canned her Polish favourites like pickled beets, mushrooms, and sauerkraut. We will always remember the family favourites she prepared such as sweet & sour chicken, perogies and cabbage rolls followed by her delicious three-layer chocolate cake.

She will be deeply missed by her family and many friends. 

The family extends special thanks to the wonderful staff of Intercare Chinook Care Centre Assisted Living Facility.

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