JEAN PAULINE KOLODKA

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JEAN PAULINE KOLODKA

nee GMITZYK

July 10, 1927 - May 3, 2025

The peaceful passing of Jean Kolodka on May 3, 2025, has left us with profound sadness. She was predeceased by her children Frances (Jim), Thomas (Ramona) and Andrew, son-in-law John (Ruth) and brother Bernard (Helen). Jean will be missed and lovingly remembered by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and their families: Ruth, Jenny, Judith, Kenneth (Alex), Peter (Gisele), Anthony, Stephen (Michele), Martin (Andrea) and Felicia; as well as numerous close friends whose lives she touched in so many ways.

Jean was born in Poland and immigrated to Canada when she was 8 years old. The Gmitzyk family first settled in Saskatchewan, then moved to Faulkner, Manitoba, where they homesteaded and farmed for a living. Jean married Joseph Kolodka in 1945 and promptly began raising a rapidly expanding brood of children - 12 in total! In 1960, Jean and Joe moved to Winnipeg, which became their permanent home. City life didn’t stop her from creating impressive vegetable and flower gardens.

Jean was a Renaissance woman who was accomplished at everything she attempted. A natural athlete, she excelled at softball and horseback riding as a child and as an adult easily mastered curling, bowling and swimming. Mom learned how to swim and dive at the age of 42, and for many years swam lengths at the local pool and partook in lengthy early morning walks around the neighbourhood while most were still in bed.

Jean loved to sing and was a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish church choir for several decades, and at one point was even recorded. Mom was an accomplished cook and baker and would frequently whip up sweet treats without using any recipes, in part to satisfy her insatiable sweet tooth. Jean was also a wonderful, self-taught seamstress. She put both of those skills to good use, spending countless hours volunteering to help create beautiful costumes for the Polish Sokol Choir and Dancers, preparing food for the Polish Krakow pavilion during Folklorama and was always happy to share her pierogy making prowess at church fundraisers. Mom’s love of cooking and gardening has been passed on to her children and grandchildren, whose own skills in the kitchen and garden are legendary (alas, her lovely penmanship does not appear to be hereditary). Jean was a formidable card and Scrabble player and even in her last days could be found happily participating in lively, animated games with family and friends.

Jean was the ultimate hostess, effortlessly charming all who visited with her first-rate food choices and stimulating conversation. She loved life and liked nothing better than to make people laugh. Her many witticisms were original and legendary. Jean loved to dance and especially the polka, and would regale family and friends alike with her polka moves as she danced around the kitchen. But it was her children who were always top of mind. Jean made sure that we had plenty of family gatherings and outings as we grew up. Our summers were filled with backyard barbecues, picnics at Assiniboine Park, day trips to surrounding small towns and excursions to the Oasis or Birds Hill Park for badminton and swimming to cool off on hot summer days.

Our mother squeezed a lot of life into her 97 years. Her inner strength and faith in God sustained her. She lived, she laughed, she loved. First and foremost, Mom’s legacy was as a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was the glue that kept the family tightly knit together and her absence is acutely felt.

Psalm 34:18 The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Jean was laid to rest by family at Saint Mary’s Cemetery during a small, private graveside ceremony on May 12, 2025.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 17, 2025