It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Cecile Joanna Andronik (Grabowiecki), on Sunday, December 25, 2022.
Cecile was predeceased by her son, Paul in 2004, her son, Michael in 2013 and her husband of 58 years, Richard in 2015, her parents Regina in 1965 and John in 1970, and her brothers Walter in 1987 and Bernard in 2019. She is survived by her daughter-in-law Marilyn, grandchildren Kelsey, Byron and Tamara.
Cecile was born in Tłuste Poland on May 10, 1929. She Immigrated to Canada in 1933 aboard the SS Montrose, arriving in Montreal with her mother Regina and her two older brothers, Walter and Bernard. They took the train to Windsor Ontario, where her father John (who had migrated ahead of their arrival) was waiting to greet them.
Cecile attended Gordon McGregor Elementary School, then graduated from Walkerville Collegiate in 1949. She entered the Hotel Dieu Hospital School of Nursing program in September 1948 and graduated in 1951. Cecile worked in the Operating Room (OR) at both the Hotel Dieu Hospital and at the Metropolitan General Hospital. She was an active member of her nursing alumni, and as president she was very involved in many alumni activities.
In 1956 she left Ontario, heading west to Vancouver BC. She worked in the OR at Vancouver General Hospital and had the privilege of being part of the first open heart surgery team. In January 1957, Cecile met the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Andronik. They married that same year on October 5th. In 1958 she left the Vancouver General Hospital and moved to Surrey, BC and in December of that year she gave birth to her first son, Michael. Cecile returned to nursing in the summer of 1959 at St. Mary’s Hospital in New Westminster. She worked in the OR on weekends and when an opportunity came up for a night supervisor role, she took that path. In January 1964 she took a leave to have her second son, Paul, returning to St. Mary’s part-time as Night Supervisor and held that role for the next 25 years. She retired in 1993.
Cecile and Richard were able to travel to Italy, France, New York, Maui and of course spent their Summer and Fall months at their cabin at Bowers Lake in the Cariboo, where they engaged in fishing and entertaining friends, family and grandchildren. She loved knitting, cooking extravagant meals and was an avid reader.
Cecile was deeply devoted to her church, family, and friends. In her retirement she spent time volunteering at various events and functions in the community and in her later years she continued to volunteer with her sisters of the Catholic Women’s League.
Funeral Mass will be Celebrated on January 12,2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 16079 - 88th Avenue, Surrey, BC. Burial to follow at Gardens of Gethsemani. In lieu of flowers, donations gratefully acknowledged to Covenant House, Vancouver or St. Matthew’s R.C. Parish Building Fund.