1924 – 2016

Jadwiga (Hedy) Usipiuk (nee Durkowska) of Kamloops, BC passed away on April 13, 2016 at 91 years of age. Hedy was born in Warderzyn, Poland, on May 23, 1924. As a young girl, she loved gardening and foraging for mushrooms in the forest with her brother, Ezydor. Sometimes they would get lost in the woods for hours but eventually they made their way home. Suddenly, at the age of 16, her family was torn apart by war. After surviving the Second World War, she immigrated to Canada and settled in Langenburg, Saskatchewan. At the hospital, the nuns took her in and trained her as a practical nurse. She worked there for six years, mainly in the maternity ward. It was in Langenburg where Hedy met Harry and they married. Then, they moved to Dawson Creek where they had three children: Gordon, Helen and Linda. In 1962, they moved to Hudson Hope where Harry worked on the W.A.C. Bennett Dam. There, Hedy enjoyed gardening in summer and snowmobiling in winter. The house was full of friends every weekend. In 1970, the family moved to Kamloops and Harry commuted to work at the Mica Creek Dam. For years, Hedy was a Fuller Brush sales woman and, in doing so, made many good friends. She was also a devout member of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help church.

In her garden, Hedy loved growing potatoes most of all. She never wore gardening gloves because, as she said, “I love to put my hands in the soil.” Her pride and joy was caring for her children and grandchildren: cooking, baking, sewing and knitting their clothes. Hedy was a story teller and a genuine friend in need. Tough on the outside and so lovingly soft on the inside, she will be deeply missed by family and by her many friends: Susan, Nora, Teresa, Barb, and many more.

Hedy is survived by her loving children: Gordon (Rhonda) Usipiuk of Victoria, BC and Helen Hanson of Kamloops, BC; grandchildren: Charlene Chiborak , Jason (Rae-Ann) Hanson, Murray (Syndey) Usipiuk, Jamie (Matt) Biggar, and Janelle (Alex) Hanson, great grandchildren: Dylan, Allysia, Braeden, Kali and Kale of Winnigpeg, Dayton, Zoe and Le-Ell of Edmonton, and Garette of Kamloops; Brother  Ezydor (Misia) Durkowski of Poland.

Predeceased by her brother Zenac, husband Harry Usipiuk, daughter Linda Lind, son-in-law Victor Lind, nephews Jason and Isaac Handy.

Those wishing to pay their respects by viewing may do so between the hours of 3:00PM and 5:00 PM on Sunday April 17th, 2016 in the Rosewood Room at the Kamloops Funeral Home (285 Fortune Drive).

The Mass of Christian Burial will take place 11:00AM Monday April 18th, 2016 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church (635 Tranquille Rd.) with Father Paul Simms celebrant.  Interment to follow at Hillside Cemetery.

A special thanks to the firefighter and ambulance crews for responding so quickly and the staff at RIH emergency and Ward 3 for such excellent care

• Date : 2016-04-13
• Location : Kamloops, B.C.