Obituary of Sister Mona Lewandowski

LEWANDOWSKI, Sister Mona Lewandowski died peacefully at Rideau Park Personal Care Home in Brandon on September 24, 2012. Mona was born February 6, 1936 in Bethany, MB. Predeceased by her parents, John Lewandowski and Josephine Swiscoski (née Kozoroski), her step-father Albert Swiskoski, her brothers Donald Swiskoski, and Henry Swiskoski, Mona is survived by her sisters Beatrice Coulthard, Dorothy Levandoski, Ann (Leroy) Berehulka, Shirley (Bruce) Wareham, her brother Rod (Evelyn) Lewandoski, her sister-in-law Geraldine Swiskoski, numerous nieces and nephews, and her religious family, the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions (RNDM). Mona completed her secondary education at St. Michael's Academy in Brandon, which was operated by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions. It was at St. Michael's that Mona had a sense of God calling her to religious life, and she applied to become a Sister. In the autumn of 1961 Mona entered the RNDM novitiate in Regina, SK and after three years, made her first vows. She furthered her education at both the University of Regina and Brandon University, completing Teacher training and a B.A. degree. She taught at St. Augustine's and Sacred Heart schools in Brandon from 1967- 1971. On September 4, 1971, Mona made her perpetual vows as a Sister of Our Lady of the Missions at St. Augustine's parish in Brandon. She was subsequently missioned to be the Religious Education Coordinator for St. Augustine's. For the next eight years, she wholeheartedly took on this work, and made numerous friends in the parish. After a Sabbatical year in Rome, she returned to Canada to live in Ste. Rose du Lac, and served as Religious Education Coordinator for the Dauphin Deanery from 1980 -1988. In 1989 she returned to Brandon, and took on leadership and administrative responsibilities for the RNDM community at St. Michael's Academy, until the Academy closed in September 2005. Throughout her life, Mona was active in various social justice initiatives with Chilean and Nicaraguan refugees, with Development and Peace, and with the Westman Association for Terminal Care in Hospice. An explorer at heart, she lived her life with a pervasive sense of wonder, curiosity and humour. In February of 2010, Mona fell and sustained a hip-fracture from which she never fully recovered, and then moved to Rideau Park Personal Care Home. The Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions and Mona's family are most grateful to the staff at Rideau Park Personal Care Home for their outstanding competence, care and compassion. Prayers for Sr. Mona will be held at St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church, 327-4th Street, at 7.00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 26. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, September 27th at St. Augustine's Church at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Kevin Smith as Principal Celebrant. Interment will take place following the funeral. In lieu of flowers friends may wish to send a donation to the Mission Fund of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, 310 Provencher Blvd., Winnipeg, MB, R2H 0G7.