Julia Monid

Julia slipped away quietly Sunday morning, November 27th at Wawel Villa Retirement Residence. As she herself said of her 94+ years, “It was a good life”.

Julia was born in Weteranówka, in the southeastern part of Poland on April 15, 1928, the third of seven children to Kazimierz Kawa and Anna (nee Ostrowska). They were uprooted from Poland into Siberia at the start of the Second World War, then travelled through Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Persia to ultimately wait out the war in camps in Uganda. It was a tough journey, as they lost their father and two siblings to typhoid fever en route.

She was always grateful to Canada for accepting her after the war, spending time first in Sherbrooke along with her sister Iza and friend Rita (who ultimately became her sister-in-law). All three them moved to Toronto, and met the loves of their lives. Family was always nearby, especially after her mother and other siblings immigrated to Canada as well.

Leonard (“Leo”) and Julia had three children and, despite very tight budgets, found thrifty ways to celebrate life including the build of a simple cottage to spend summers in the fresh air and winters on the ski hill (even though there was no electricity or running water for years).

In what seemed like a blink of an eye, there were weddings. Another blink, grandchildren. Another blink, great grandchildren.

The family will all miss her terribly. Her children Nick (Susan), Peter (Karen) and Ann (Tony); her grandchildren Stefan (Pauline), Matthew (Rekha), Frank (Angela), Daniel (Tara), Helena (Mechan), Adam and Victoria (Ken); and her great grandchildren Marlowe, Kaitlin, Isabella, Landon, Casey, Leo, Ellis, and Felicity; as well as the many extended family members and friends whose lives she touched. She is survived by her brother, Joseph Kawa, her sister-in-law, Rita Monid and her brother-in-law, Stefan Reitmeier.

Leo passed too early …. 30 years ago, just short of their planned retirement. We can only imagine what their reunion will be like, as well as with her parents and the siblings that went before her.

We know our tears will be replaced in time with hundreds of wonderful memories, but in the meantime…we miss you so much!!!

We are so grateful to all the caregivers at Wawel Villa and at Credit Valley Hospital Palliative Unit for the exceptional support Mom received in these last few months. You are all angels!


In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to:

Wawel Villa Retirement Residence
880 Clarkson Road South
Mississauga, ON L5J 4N4
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