Written by Julie Staub

It is with a profound sense of loss and immeasurable sadness that the family announce the unexpected and sudden passing of Sylvia Irene Wojtas on June 10, 2026. Her daughter and granddaughter were with her at HSC and remained by her side as she gently and peacefully passed. She recently turned 93.

Sylvia was born on March 3, 1933 in Winnipeg and she always remarked that she was the 13th baby delivered by that doctor. Her parents were Adolf (known as August after World War II) Nowicki and Bronislawa Warzocha and she was their only child. During her school years in the North End attending Margaret Scott, King Edward and Isaac Newton Schools, she was known as Sylvia Novis.

She tragically lost her mother at the tender age of 6 and her father never really recovered from his wife’s death. The multi-generational property on Burrows Avenue, built in the 1910s by her family, was her home even after her marriage and birth of her children.

Sylvia often remarked that she starting learning to cook soon after her mother’s death, guided by grandmothers. She frequently stated that this was the reason she had a disdain for cooking and could never figure out why her daughter loved being in the kitchen. Sylvia loved to sew, knit and crochet and became an amazing quilter. Again, she could never understand why her oldest daughter disliked working with fabric or wool. Sylvia had a very special relationship with her maternal aunt Nellie Nikodem and fraternal aunt Stephanie Kaczor who stepped in to help in her up-bringing. They remained extremely close until Stephie’s death in 1997 and “Auntie Nellie’s” death in 2011.

Upon completion of Grade 11, Sylvia worked as a typist at Manitoba Motors under Duff Roblin (later premier of Manitoba) and ended her working career at the Manitoba Unemployment Office.

Sylvia and her father often had immigrant/refugee renters from Eastern Europe-Poland in particular.  It was through one of these families that she met British Army veteran and Siberian labour camp survivor Waclaw Wojtas who had recently immigrated to Canada via England.

She became part of the Walichnowki and Wojtas clans after marrying “Jimmy”on June 9, 1956. Sadly, her husband and dear partner of 50 years died in 2006 at 83. They were rarely apart but it is comforting to know that they are together again with their dogs.

Left to mourn and cherish her memory are daughters Marianne (Ken), Cathy (Vince) and precious granddaughter Julie of whom she was exceedingly proud. She will also be fondly remembered by cousins Marcella and Grant and extended family members on her husband’s side. Although she was a dog lover, she remarked that the only way she would have a cat was if it fell from the sky into her garden.

Lo and behold, a meowing feral kitten was found in the garden one day and became her beloved pet.

 She also experienced the stillbirths of her first child (boy) and last child (another boy) due to the Rh factor for which there was no treatment at the time. Sylvia was one of the first women to undergo a new procedure where her third baby Cathy received a blood transfusion in utero. She later frequently donated blood for scientific research which contributed to the development of a vaccine to prevent Rh baby deaths.

Cremation has taken place and there will be no service at this time.

We are grateful that she was healthy enough to remain in her own home until the end as was her wish. We also want to express our sincere appreciation to her neighbours over the years who looked out for her and later, the cat. Most recently, thanks go out to Don and Richard who have been there to help out

 We also cannot say enough about the timely, attentive and professional care she received at HSC Emergency (stroke protocol/neurology).

Mom and Gramma (Gma) you will be lovingly remembered and sorely missed!