Obituary of Honorata Lagun

Honorata Jadwiga (Chycinska) Lagun was born on January 13, 1939 in Kaluszyn, a town near Warsaw, Poland, to an accountant and a horticulturalist. Honorata was one of three children and is survived by her older brother Lucjan (Krystyna)Chycinski (Poland), her younger sister Bogumila Borowiecka (Edward Bartkiewicz) (Poland), daughter Sylvana (Jim) Chambers (Wolfville), son Artur (Izabela) Lagun (New York), granddaughters Victoria (Halifax), Olivia and Claudia (New York).

She was only 9 months old when the Second World War erupted. Her father joined the underground movement that fought German forces and later the Russians.

Honorata, her parents and siblings endured many hardships and witnessed destruction and brutality of the German occupation and the subsequent Russian invasion. After the war, Honorata grew up in the Town of Lidzbark Warminski in North-Eastern Poland, famous for its former citizen, Nicolaus Copernicus.

Honorata excelled in her high school and followed several interests. She danced, played piano and accordion. Having been a straight "a" student, she was accepted to The University of Szczecin in Western Poland, however, had to put her further education on hold, due to her father's developing illness and returned home to help in her father's care. During that time, she met her future husband, Mieczyslaw Lagun, an engineer, whom she married in the Lidzbark Cathedral in 1958. They moved to Western Poland to pursue career opportunities. Honorata assumed various positions within Poczta Polska (Polish Postal Corpration) where she became an executive.

After the birth of her second child, she changed careers and took a job of the Work Safety Director in a manufacturing plant. She became a sought after instructor on the National level and taught courses in many locations throughout Poland. She retired from that job at the age of 55, just before moving to Canada.

All throughout her career years in post-war, socialist Poland, she remained a devout Catholic and actively practiced her faith. She was a woman of principle and demanded both respect and love from people and effortlessly gave the same to others. She had many friends in Poland and maintained contact with them till her last days. She was an avid reader, follower of the world events, a letter writer and a marathon telephone conversationalist!

She made many trips to the local Post office with bags full of letters going overseas.

Honorata moved to Canada to be closer to her daughter Sylvana and her son Artur. She thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her granddaughters Victoria in Wolfville as well as with Olivia and Claudia in New York.

Honorata's favourite times with Victoria were frequent visits with a baby stroller to the Acadia University Chapel to listen to the organ music...or stopping at the nearby brooks and listening to the water whispers. Walking fast behind Claudia and Olivia on their bicycles – is another happy memory.

Honorata had made a continuous effort to learn English and although it presented various difficulties, she had never given up. She often carried a Polish-English dictionary and a notebook – in case she needed some help or had an opportunity to learn another word!

Honorata had joined Seniors Exercise Program as well as Aquafitness classes at Acadia University and made some new friends. She loved Nova Scotia for the friendly people, a beautiful natural environment that reminded her of Poland. She and her husband enjoyed visiting local nature attractions as well as garden nurseries, Halifax Waterfront and the City's museums.

Honorata was in a habit of making good use of her time and shared this time without hesitation with others. When she heard that two teenage boys expressed interest in learning Polish, she promptly offered to teach them. Patrick and Conlen came to Honorata's place once a week after school and took lessons in conversation, reading, writing, Polish food preparation and a lot of laughter. She had gained new grandchildren!

Honorata had a very strong, deep faith that helped her during the last months of her life.

This gracious lover of life will be sadly and deeply missed but lovingly remembered by her family and friends.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Lindsay Annapolis Valley Funeral Home & Chapels, (902-542-4656). No visitation by family request. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October the 22nd at 10:00 A.M. at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 118 Main Street in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Fr. John McPherson officiating. Family flowers only. Donations can be made in Honorata Lagun's name to The Valley Regional Hospital Foundation.