February 12, 1932 - January 26, 2020
Amy Chwojka passed away Jan 26, 2020 in VGH with a family member by her side.
Amy was born Feb 12, 1932, in Victoria, She attended St. Joseph's` Hospital School of Nursing, receiving her RN in 1953. Awarded a Bursary from the BC Government, she went on to take her degree in Public Health Nursing from McGill University. She undertook Public Health nursing on the Sunshine Coast area, in the Doukhobor community in the Kootenays and then in the Upper Fraser Valley.
She met and married Fred Chwojka, an underground surveyor in mining, and when he took a position at the Jordan River mine, Cowichan Copper, she came with him to Sooke in the early 1960s. The couple bought a home in Sooke, and Amy was an at-home mom for a while, raising her son & two daughters.
Enjoying the usual homemaking skills, it wasn't long before Amy decided to enter the Sooke Fall Fair, specializing in kitchen craft. Ever since 1976 she volunteered with organizing the Fair. She re-entered the work force as an office nurse in a local medical office, holding the position for twenty years.
A volunteer with Girl Guides of Canada, Amy has been recognized by the Guiding program for serving as camp cook & camp nurse for both Brownie & Girl Guide camps. At local schools, she assisted teachers, helping children with learning disabilities.
Very active in her church, Knox Presbyterian, Amy volunteered for the Evening Guild, The WMS Women's Missionary Society, was the church historian and the main organizer for the very successful 100th anniversary celebration of Knox Church in 1998. She was recording secretary for the B.C Synod of the WMS. She also was the founder of the Church's successful Strawberry Tea for over 35 years.
A life Member of Sooke Regional Historical Society, she also volunteered for many years in the cafeteria at the Flats for All Sooke Day. A Charter member of CONTACT Community Assistance Society, she spent many years helping with crisis support and with transportation and supplies for individuals with medical needs. She was recognized by the Red Cross Blood Donor program for contributing 100 pints of blood, in total she donated 114 pints.
She has assisted the Poppy campaign for Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 54, and volunteered for TAG days for ALS. A fine needle worker, she was a member of Sooke Quilters Guild and contributed quilting for fund-raisers and special projects. Interested not only in the community's health, but in the environment, Amy also put in time as a volunteer worker for the Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society.
Amy was still volunteering her services & continued to help the community, particularly as a member of the Breast Cancer Support Group.
She leaves behind her sister Jean Kellner & 3 children son Glen (Zandra) daughters Karen (Jack) & Yvonne (Steve). A celebration of life will be in the spring. In lieu of flowers, Any would like that people do a kindness for someone. The family asks that if people wish to make a donation in Amy's name, they consider the Sooke Fall Fair, Sooke Salmon Enhancement society or to a charity of your choice.