Zofia Maliszewska was born on 23 October 1918, in Zlotniki, Poland to Leon and Maria (nee Kryska). The Germans invaded Poland from the west on 1 September 1939, and the Russians invaded from the east on 17 September 1939. They divided Poland between them. In the Russian-controlled area, the plan to ethnically-cleanse the area soon took effect with the first of four mass deportations to Siberia that were carried out in 1940 and 1941.

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Zofia was captured by the Germans and taken to a forced labour camp in Germany, where she had to work on German farms.

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After the war, she made her way to Canada, where she met Wladyslaw Siwicki, who had served in the Polish 2nd Corps in the Middle East and in the Italian Campaign. They married in 1949 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. They later settled in the West End area of Winnipeg, where they raised their children: Wanda, Alexander, Jerry, Christine, Irene, and John.

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Zofia worked at numerous custodial jobs. at the Winnipeg International Airport and the Winnipeg General Hospital. She was a long-time member of St. John Cantius Church, and of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 246, serving on the women's auxiliary. She also performed countless hours of volunteer work at the Deer Lodge Hospital.

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Zofia passed away in Winnipeg on 2 December 2014, at the age of 96 years. She was buried Interment at Holy Ghost Cemetery.

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Copyright: Siwicki family

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