MARIA (MAYA) KINGA BOBROWSKA

On May 18, 2020 our beloved Maya took her leave on the white light and loving energy of all those who loved her.  She parted peacefully with her friends, Gordon Morrison, Marie O'Shea and Alison Atkins, by her side.  

Maya was a life-long learner and teacher, characterized by a fierce independence, balanced by a deep commitment to working collectively for a better world for all.  She held a far-reaching global vision, integrating social activism and spiritual transformation and at the same time delving into worldly subjects from how we govern ourselves and take care of one another economically and politically; to promoting self-directed education.  At the root of her incisive thinking process was a scientist, with specialization in Molecular Biology, then computer science, grounded in a deep love for all the dimensions of the natural world. At heart she was an artist.

In her quest for learning and curiosity about others, she traveled to mysterious parts of the globe, including climbing up Mount Sinai where Moses received the Ten Commandments, and lived with Bedouins in the desert. She was a happy sponge with the Dalai Lama at a week-long retreat, studied mysticism and generational and collective trauma under Thomas Hübl, and quested with fellow seekers in Triads, Circles, growing many friendships along the way.  Maya epitomized living life with purpose, vibrancy and love, to the end! 

Maya was born in Warsaw, Poland and is predeceased by her father, Tadeusz Wladyslaw Bobrowski, her mother, Anna Bobrowska (nee Skrzyniska), and her Aunt Krysia Bobrowska, with whom young Maya had a particularly close relationship. 

Maya will be lovingly remembered by her sister Monika Bobrowska with Mirek; niece Marysia, and nephew Jurek; cousins: Wanda Marczewska, Joanna Hrabowska, Agnieszka Adamowska, Maria Hrabowska, Zbyszek Hrabowski, Janek Hrabowski and their families, her uncles Wlodek Hrabowski and Slawek Hrabowski, and by her mother-in-law Halina Gacek who Maya took care of for seven years while she was in Canada.

Tributes pour in from her numerous friends and fellow seekers from Canada, the U.S. and from around the world including: Pamela Schreiner, Joanne Mantha, Pierre Chenier, Paul Maillet, Gita Baack, Joanna McMillan, Mira Kucar, Valerie Yersh, Marie Crevier, Nancy Peden, Lian Sawires, Ula Cybulska, Roland Geunther, Mary Bragg, David Sherman, Richard Fransham, Sonia Gluckman, Rita Thelemann, Doris Gieselman, Rani Bahadur, Margaret Babcock, Julie Hong, Catherine Gee, Bev Hughes and Wally Rowley, Andrea Hemmerich, Robin Bailey, Regis Alcorn, Sharon Holzscherer, Robert Brugger, Louise Lalande; long-time friend Beata Wiatrowska with daughters Marta Kolbuszewska and Ania Kolbuszewska  and Beata’s husband Carl Ripley, with whom Maya lived for many years; Kendra Atkins and her family, Jason Forest, Addi and Willa Forest, and Sookie, as well as others who had the good fortune to have met Maya on her journey.  A variety of photos are at https://photos.app.goo.gl/3ALaCdjizoLJVm7V6 .

A memorial and burial of ashes will be held at Beechwood Cemetery on June 22, 2020, in two parts, as follows:

Part A: Given COVID restrictions on size of gatherings, we are scheduling the interment for 3:45 PM when a small group will witness; then

Part B: at 4 PM the Cemetery opens to the public. At that time, with social distancing, everyone who loved Maya is welcome to participate in ceremonial smudging, drumming, and remembrances, so bring a candle, and some words or song you want to share! 

Please enter the Cemetery off of Hemlock/Beechwood Avenue, pause at the buildings at the top of the rise, look at the map attached, then follow the yellow line in the road to the Chinese Pagoda, turn left and head toward the NE corner of the cemetery – in the direction of Dairy Queen that is across the road! (The St Laurent entrance is locked for COVID).  Bring a lawn chair and “mosquito be gone” as you wish.

Maya’s final request was to be cremated and remembered with a tree that would be tall.  We are hoping to fund the planting of a beautiful memorial tree.

If sufficient funds are donated: a sugar maple (in perpetuity) with a boulder and brass plaque would be planted at Beechwood National Cemetery, where a pileated woodpecker welcomed us just after Maya’s transition.  Maya loved to walk at Beechwood, and as Canada’s National Cemetery, and one of the “lungs of Ottawa” it would make her smile.  If funds don’t allow for that, we will find another beautiful, affordable location.  Thus, in lieu of flowers or other charitable donation you might make, if you would like to join the Maya Tree Fund, you may send an e-transfer to alisonwadimaya@gmail.com.  For cheque or money drafts you may send them payable to: Gordon Morrison, 237 North River Road, Ottawa, ON, K1L 8B7, Canada.

We look forward to celebrating Maya!