Lidia Maria Gowor Adamkiewicz

Lidia Maria Gowor Adamkiewicz October 13, 1918-November 26, 2016 Dr. Lidia Maria Gowor Adamkiewicz, dear Mamusia, left us for her eternal rest on November 16th, 2016, at the age of 98 years. She was hospitalized at the Royal Victoria Hospital, in Montreal. Dr. Lidia was born on October 13th, 1918, near S?onim, then Poland, now Byelorussia, the youngest of six sisters. She excelled in high school despite the loss of her father and a debilitating bone infection. WW2 interrupted 1st year of medical studies at S. Batory University in Vilnius. With a fellow student friend, 75 years ago, she escaped to Switzerland, via Czechoslovakia and Austria, crossing the Alps by foot. Incredulous Swiss border guards and authorities allowed them to stay as refugees. She graduated in Medicine from the University of Lausanne and immigrated to Canada after the war. She became the first female physician at l'Hôtel Dieu de Montreal. She practiced and taught internal medicine (Université de Montréal) and was one of the first clinical researchers at the Institut de Recherche Clinique de Montreal. A deep sense of curiosity lead her to study sociology and to become an active member of the Planetary Society. Her name remains engraved on a NASA satellite sent into interplanetary space. She was a passionate gardener, cultivated lifelong friendships, was an unwavering defender of the right to life, the role of professional women, and deeply faithful to God. She is survived by her sons, Paul, Mark, Tom, Michael, Mathias, and grandsons Patrick and Daniel. She has joined her beloved deceased husband, Vincent Witold, and son Peter, who died shortly after birth. Visitation will be help at Collins Clarke MacGillvray White Funeral Homes, 5610 Sherbrooke West, Montreal, (514- 483-1870) on 18 November, 2016, at 7:00 PM. A funeral mass will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1660, rue Centre, Montréal, (514-935-8628) on 19 November, 2016, at 11:00 AM. Burial at Saint Sauveur des Monts Polish Cemetery at 2:00 PM will be followed by a reception.