Joanna Krupa

Sister Joanna Krupa, SSC, a Missionary Sister of St. Columban, passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 after a short illness. She had lived at St. Columban's on the Lake Retirement Home in Silver Creek until shortly before her death.

Sister Joanna was born in Toronto, Ontario on November 26, 1931 to Maria Prydun and Kazimierz Krupa and received her early education in that city. When she responded to the call to commit her life to God and to the service of others, she chose the Irish missionary order of Columban Sisters and became a Postulant in Boston, MA in the fall of 1957. At her first Profession on October 3, 1960, she received the religious name of Sister Mary Trinita. She continued her studies at the University of New York at Buffalo, where she received a degree in Occupational Therapy. A woman of immense talent and great compassion, Joanna was assigned to the Columban Sisters' mission in Peru, where she spent the next 40 years.

In a community of great poverty, and with few resources to address the needs of children with a range of disabilities, Sister Joanna worked tirelessly to provide support systems for children and their parents to give them a sense of not only God's love for each one of them, but of their own intrinsic worth. Her creativity and ingenuity knew no bounds and she frequently designed special tools and equipment, or adapted furniture to meet the specific needs of individuals. Photos from her years in Peru show her taking children in her arms, working to bring each child to their full potential.

After four decades in South America, Joanna returned to this country and resided with the Columban Sisters at St. Columban's on the Lake, where she would slip from time to time into the Spanish language she had spoken for so long among her beloved Peruvian people. Predeceased by her parents, brothers Stan and Peter, and Peter's wife Pauline, Joanna is survived by her brother, Ted and his wife, Winnie Krupa; sister-in-law, Kay; and nieces and nephews. Her memory will be treasured by the Columban Sisters, her family, and friends in Peru, and around the world.

Family and friends may call at St. Columban's on the Lake Chapel on Sunday, October 8 from 3:00-6:00 PM, concluding with a prayer service. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 9 in the chapel at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sister Joanna's memory to the Missionary Sisters of St. Columban, 2546 Lake Road, Silver Creek, NY 14136 in support of the Sisters' work in Lima, Peru.

Arrangements are by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.

Obituary from the Observer

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