Grave of the Romer family
[lot C1 019 ]
previous | next
select grave #
Tadeusz ROMER
( 1894-1978 )
( 1894-1978 )
Diplomat and educator. Born on his family's estate in Lithuania. Educated in Krakow and in Switzerland at the Universities of Fribourg and Lausanne. Already as a student was actively engaged during World War I in humanitarian work under the leadership of prominent Polish figures such as Nobel-prize-winning writer Sienkiewicz, and pianist-statesman Paderewski. In 1917 Romer began his diplomatic career on the staff of the Polish National Committee in Paris, engaged in negotiations at the Versailles Peace Conference to regain Poland's independence in post-war Europe. In 1919-1921, he became the first Secretary of the newly-established Polish Legation in Paris. In 1921, was recalled to head the Western Department at the Ministry of Foreign affairs in Warsaw. From 1928 to 1943 was posted abroad, first at the Polish Embassy in Rome, then Head of Mission in Lisbon. At the outbreak of World War II, he was Poland's Ambassador in Tokyo (1937-1941), then was appointed High Commissioner in Shanghai to continue organizing humanitarian aid for several thousand Polish citizens, mainly of Jewish origin, who had fled to the Far East from Hitler's terror via the Trans-Siberian Railway.
In 1942 he was appointed Ambassador to the Soviet Union, conducting extremely perilous negotiations with Stalin, while also succouring thousands of destitute and sick Polish refugees liberated from labour camps in the USSR's far north. In 1943, Stalin broke off relations after the discovery of the Katyn graves of thousands of Polish officers who had been shot while being Soviet POWs. Romer evacuated his Embassy, together with many refugees, to the Middle East, where the Polish Army under General Anders was reorganizing and training for battle. After meetings in Teheran and Lebanon with Polish Premier Sikorski, Romer was appointed Poland's High Commissioner for the Middle East; but after Sikorski's tragic death in Gibraltar in 1943, Romer was summoned to London by the Polish Government-in-exile and appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, a desperate task continued until 1944, when he and the government resigned. At the end of the war and after suffering a heart attack, he remained in London, continuing to play an active role in several Polish educational and humanitarian organizations.
Offered a post at McGill University's French department, he emigrated to Canada with his family in 1948, and assumed his second career in the University, teaching French language and culture until his retirement in 1965. But he remained generous and active in community work, leaving his mark on many people and organizations as outlined in the Polish-language version of this website. Romer's life covered the disasters of the two world wars, but he never ceased striving for peace, understanding between nations and respect for human dignity. He died in Montreal at the age of 84, deeply mourned by his wife, daughters and 13 grandchildren
In 1942 he was appointed Ambassador to the Soviet Union, conducting extremely perilous negotiations with Stalin, while also succouring thousands of destitute and sick Polish refugees liberated from labour camps in the USSR's far north. In 1943, Stalin broke off relations after the discovery of the Katyn graves of thousands of Polish officers who had been shot while being Soviet POWs. Romer evacuated his Embassy, together with many refugees, to the Middle East, where the Polish Army under General Anders was reorganizing and training for battle. After meetings in Teheran and Lebanon with Polish Premier Sikorski, Romer was appointed Poland's High Commissioner for the Middle East; but after Sikorski's tragic death in Gibraltar in 1943, Romer was summoned to London by the Polish Government-in-exile and appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, a desperate task continued until 1944, when he and the government resigned. At the end of the war and after suffering a heart attack, he remained in London, continuing to play an active role in several Polish educational and humanitarian organizations.
Offered a post at McGill University's French department, he emigrated to Canada with his family in 1948, and assumed his second career in the University, teaching French language and culture until his retirement in 1965. But he remained generous and active in community work, leaving his mark on many people and organizations as outlined in the Polish-language version of this website. Romer's life covered the disasters of the two world wars, but he never ceased striving for peace, understanding between nations and respect for human dignity. He died in Montreal at the age of 84, deeply mourned by his wife, daughters and 13 grandchildren
Zofia ROMER
née WANKOWICZ
( 1897-1981 )
née WANKOWICZ
( 1897-1981 )
Born in Byelorussia, educated on her family's estate, graduated from Chyliczki, a home-economics college, then completed Red-Cross training courses for nurses, to care for Polish servicemen in action during World War I. In 1917 became a courier, clandestinely transporting secret documents to Polish military units on the Russian front, and subsequently worked in a Warsaw congressional office, translating French documentation on Poland's borders pursuant to the Versailles Peace Conference. Resumed her work as a Red-Cross Nurse in a Polish field hospital in 1918, in dramatic circumstances later documented in a well-known book, subsequently depicted on film. For her courage in saving soldiers' lives at her own peril, she was awarded the Cross of Valour. After serving in the Polish-Soviet War, she worked in the French Embassy in Warsaw as the head of the trade department, work for which she was awarded distinguished French medals. In 1925 she married diplomat Tadeusz Romer, and for the next 53 years steadily supported him throughout his many missions abroad, while also raising their three daughters, Teresa (Renia, 1926), Elzbieta (Ita, 1929) and Gabriela (Alba 1931-1990).
During World War II, during a stay in South Africa in 1942-1943, she represented the Polish Red Cross and helped hospitalized officers wounded in the North-African campaign.
After the war, she stayed on in London with her family, emigrating to Canada in 1948. In Montreal, together with her husband, she remained highly active in émigré and international social and cultural life. With a group of her contemporaries, she founded the Committee to aid Polish post-war orphans and children. Died in Montreal at the age of 84.
During World War II, during a stay in South Africa in 1942-1943, she represented the Polish Red Cross and helped hospitalized officers wounded in the North-African campaign.
After the war, she stayed on in London with her family, emigrating to Canada in 1948. In Montreal, together with her husband, she remained highly active in émigré and international social and cultural life. With a group of her contemporaries, she founded the Committee to aid Polish post-war orphans and children. Died in Montreal at the age of 84.
Jadwiga DUNIN-JUNDZIŁŁ
( 1873-1963 )
( 1873-1963 )
The maternal aunt of Tadeusz Romer (abowe). Born in Fribourg, Switzerland, to a family of Polish patriots established in Switzerland after the 1831 Insurrection. Her father was an engineer, engaged in building the early Swiss railroad system. After the death in 1902 of her sister Maria (mother of Tadeusz), Jadzia took charge of the education of Maria's youngest child, orphaned Jadziulka, who in the 1930's became one of the first women on the professional staff of the League of Nations in Geneva. After the sudden death of Jadziulka in 1956 at the age of 59, Jadzia came to join her nephew Tadeusz in Canada. Always a generous supporter of charitable causes, she died in Montreal at the age of 90.
Alba (Gabriela) ROMER-TAYLOR
(commemorated)
( 1931-1990 )
(commemorated)
( 1931-1990 )
(Her name is not yet engraved on the tombstone)
Graphic artist and sculptor. Born in Rome, third daughter of Tadeusz and Zofia Romer (above). In 1957, married Charles Taylor, philosopher and author, accompanied him on teaching assignements in the universities of Paris, Oxford, Princeton and Montreal, where she also exhibited her work. Mother of Karen (1958), Miriam (Milou, 1959), Wanda (1960), Bisia (1962) and Gretta (1965). Was co-founder of the Romer Foundation. Member of Ruah, a group of artists in Montreal, she was devoted to sacred art. Died of leukemia at age 69, sorely missed by her family and friends. She is buried in her husband's family plot at Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery in Montreal.
Graphic artist and sculptor. Born in Rome, third daughter of Tadeusz and Zofia Romer (above). In 1957, married Charles Taylor, philosopher and author, accompanied him on teaching assignements in the universities of Paris, Oxford, Princeton and Montreal, where she also exhibited her work. Mother of Karen (1958), Miriam (Milou, 1959), Wanda (1960), Bisia (1962) and Gretta (1965). Was co-founder of the Romer Foundation. Member of Ruah, a group of artists in Montreal, she was devoted to sacred art. Died of leukemia at age 69, sorely missed by her family and friends. She is buried in her husband's family plot at Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery in Montreal.
Maria HUBISZ
( 1904-2006 )
( 1904-2006 )
Teacher and nurse, born in Lwow under Tsarist rule. Completed teacher training in Poland, and in 1936 was employed to accompany the Romer family and their three girls to diplomatic posts in Portugal and Japan. After the outbreak of World-War II, Maria remained with the Romers successively in Tokyo, Shanghai, Johannesburg and London, finally emigrating with them to Canada in 1948. In Montreal, after completing nursing training, she worked as a Nursing Assistant to elderly patients until her retirement. Generous, energetic and independent, she supported many community and religious associations while also sending financial help to her family in post-war Poland. She died at age 102 in the Polish Home for the Elderly on Bélanger street in Montreal.
Antoni Tadeusz (Antolek)
NITOSŁAWSKI
( ✵ ✟ 1958 )
NITOSŁAWSKI
( ✵ ✟ 1958 )
Infant son of Mieczysław Nitosławski (grave no. 22 [lot C1 020]) and Teresa Romer.
Piotr Mieczysław NITOSŁAWSKI
( ✵ ✟ 1966 )
( ✵ ✟ 1966 )
Infant son of Mieczysław Nitosławski (lot no. 22 [lot C1 020]) and Teresa Romer.