Joanna Krystyna Chmielowski

We are saddened to announce the peaceful passing of Joanna Chmielowski, with her family at her side, at University Hospital in London, Ontario, on Saturday, September 12, 2020. Joanna was born in Poland on May 29, 1952, to Kazimierz and Anelia Wojcik. Joanna "Babcia" will be fondly remembered by her mother Anelia, her husband Ron, her daughter Kinga (Matthew) and son John (Dan), her sisters Wanda (Marian) and Ewa (Leszek), the Chmielowski family, and stepsons Rod (Brenda), Trent (Emily) and Colin (Than), along with many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her father Kazimierz and her first husband Jan. In 1984, Joanna, along with her husband and two children immigrated to Canada and settled in Guelph, ON. Joanna enjoyed all aspects of life through being active in family ski trips, swimming, going to the gym regularly, traveling to various parts of the world and continuously learning by completing a University degree in Poland and additional courses at Wilfrid Laurier University. In 1998, Joanna and her family moved to London, ON. Throughout all these years she enjoyed spending time with family and friends and re-established a connection with God. She had a passion to help others in need and volunteered with the Crisis Line as a telephone counsellor and also become a certified Polish/English interpreter. Joanna had a main career focus in the area of quality assurance, but also took the opportunity to work in IT support and eventually changed her career path by certifying as an insurance agent which allowed her to complete her last working years with Allstate. Nine years after the passing of her husband Jan, Joanna met and remarried Ron Steensma on October 10, 2009. She was able to enjoy a wonderful life with Ron as they continued their spiritual journey with God, had fun travelling to many destinations around the world and enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren. Over the last 3 and a half years, Joanna's strength and perseverance were tested when she was diagnosed with cancer. Her willingness to be courageous and positive was an example to others. She took interest in learning about her disease and took action for a better quality of life by completing various treatments in London, ON and also experimental treatments in Toronto to advance science. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 419 Hill Street, London, on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Please Note: Due to restrictions as per the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, a limited number of people can attend the Funeral Mass in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church and registration is required. Please email O'Neil Funeral Home (ofh@start.ca) to register for attendance. Interment Services in St. Peter's Cemetery, London, will be held privately. Online condolences & Guest Book at www.oneilfuneralhome.ca. O'Neil Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. (519-432-7136) In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Canadian Cancer Society (www.cancer.ca) or Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (www.camh.ca).