JULIA ELIZABETH KARPIEL

1929 - 2023

KARPIEL, JULIA ELIZABETH (nee ZAGOL) Beloved Mother, Wife, Sister, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Ciocia, Auntie and Friend, passed away on February 9, 2023. Julie was born in Gdow, Poland, January 9, 1929, to Antoni and Eleanora Zagol. Mom and Babcia immigrated to Canada in May 1939 to join Dziadzio in Toronto, just four months before Hitler invaded Poland starting the Second World War. Julie attended Charles G. Fraser Public School on Manning Street in Toronto and completed grades 1 to 4 in her first year. She could not continue to high school due to her father's illness and she left school to work and help support her family. Her first job was at the Parisian Laundry on Bathurst Street, across from the family home. Julie's future husband, Frank, lived two doors down. They married in 1949 and welcomed four children during their 50 year-long marriage. Julie was a seamstress for many years, working from home and raising her family at the same time. She was a great storyteller and captivated audiences with tales of her life experiences. In her later years, she was able to enjoy travelling near and far with her lifelong friend Jenny. Julie will be remembered for her loving devotion to her extensive family, both in Canada and in Poland, her dinner parties and love of entertaining in her home, and her feisty personality and sassy sense of humour. Beloved sister to Annie, Marion, Joseph and Mary, all predeceased. Much-loved wife to Frank John Karpiel (1999). Loving mother to Frances (Joe), Ronald (Deb), Edward (Susan), and Constance (Kotek). Adored grandmother to Milan (Angela), Stefanie, Kimberley, Cameron (Crystal), Patrick (Erin), and Lisa (Brett). Treasured great-grandmother to Chelsea, Maya, Memphis and Burke. Cherished Ciocia to Grace, Mark (Danuta, Camilla, Isabella, Wojtek), Monika (Jacob, Sophia, Alexander), and Iwona (Iris). Heartfelt gratitude to caregivers Gillian, Ruby, Bernadette and, of course, Gigi, for helping us on the final leg of mom's journey. We say goodbye to the last of the great generation in our family. Julie will be forever in our hearts and greatly missed. Moja droga jacie kocham, Mama. Visitation for family and friends at Turner & Porter, Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street West, Wednesday, February 15, 2023, from 2:00-4:00 p.m and 7:00-9:00 p.m. Funeral Mass at St. Casimir's Roman Catholic Church, 156 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto, on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. followed by interment at Prospect Cemetery, 1450 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto. In honour of Julie's generosity and deep compassion, donations may be made to the Canadian Red Cross, in lieu of flowers. Online condolences may be made through www.turnerporter.ca.