January 30, 1940 - November 16, 2023

Rica was a woman of the people – she loved everyone and everyone loved her.
Born into war, she spent her childhood in a Siberian labour camp, displaced by ethnic cleansing from her home in Poland (present day Ukraine).

A visionary leader and humanitarian, she was an eternal optimist and a force to be reckoned with.

As the founder of the Polish scouts association and the Polish language and culture high school in Oshawa, she had a passion for learning and a zest for life that was contagious. Rica was a combination of Mary Poppins and Maria from Sound of Music. She loved to sing, dance, pray, climb trees, learn, laugh and lead others to do the same.

“Pani Lapinska” as she was known, was an inspiring educator, community builder, counsellor and mother figure for countless youth over the years – including her own children, Danusia and Bogumila and grandchildren, Mati, Mika, Bentley and Henry. It is from her they learned that giving love to others was the best way to multiply it in this world.

Rica was deeply sensitive to inequality and intolerance of any kind, and her faith guided her to act with compassion and courage to do what was right, even when unpopular. She encouraged her children to travel, study and to notice and respond to suffering or injustice. Her husband, Andrzejek, was her rock and her best friend for 57 years, and the person she trusted and loved the most. With him, she could be herself, and debate religion and politics for hours, always discovering a new perspective and a better way to be.

We are all so grateful for the time Rica, our Ciputka and Mamunia, shared with us on this earth. We know that she will continue to live through everyone whose life she touched.

There will be a visitation at ARMSTRONG FUNERAL HOME on Wednesday, November 22 from 6-9 p.m. at 124 King Street East in Oshawa with prayers at 8 p.m.

The funeral will be held at St. Hedwig Catholic Church on Thursday, November 23 at 11 a.m., followed by a reception at the Polish Hall at 219 Olive Avenue in Oshawa.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to Valley Manor Nursing Home, Barry's Bay (via St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation) or the Centre for the Arts and Human Development or if you wish to send flowers, gerbera daisies were Rica's favourite flowers.