Not long ago, the library at Copernicus Lodge faced an uncertain future. Once a treasured space, it had become cluttered with boxes, its usage dwindling to the point where converting it into offices was being seriously considered. Today, thanks to the generosity of Connie Leon, the library has been transformed into a vibrant hub of community activity.
Connie felt an immediate connection when she learned the library needed renewal. “I thought of Mother immediately,” she recalls. “My mother loved to read to her children.” Her instinct to help was rooted not only in personal memories but in deep family ties to Copernicus Lodge.
Connie’s parents, Ed and Anne Siekierko, were among the early donors in the mid-1970s who contributed $5,000 each to help build what would become Canada’s largest Polish seniors’ residence. The Siekierko family lived in a neighbourhood where the Polish community was strongly engaged, and their neighbors—Mrs. Kasia Bladek and Dr. Roman Bladek, one of the founding directors—introduced them to the vision for Copernicus Lodge. Connie vividly remembers her mother saying, “We might be living there one day, Ed, so we need to be involved.”
Growing up, Connie’s Polish roots were woven into family life. She recalls her father heading to Roncesvalles for kielbasa and pączki, while her mother brought traditional baskets to church for blessing. “It was quite a tradition,” she says—one that formed a lasting connection to her heritage.
With a generous gift of $35,000, Connie has restored the heart of the library. Once quiet and underused, it now hosts University of Toronto Polish Studies seminars, poetry readings, and weekly Polish film screenings on a new big-screen TV. Just as Connie predicted, “If you build it, they will come.”
For Connie, the project was both a tribute to her parents and a way to ensure Polish culture continues to thrive at Copernicus Lodge. She plans to bring her nephew’s children to see their great-grandparents’ names on the donor wall, passing on the legacy of involvement. Including Copernicus Lodge in her will ensures that this tradition of giving extends to future generations.
Reflecting on the transformation, Connie says, “I know Mum would have been proud.” Through her support, she has helped create a living connection to Polish heritage that will enrich residents for years to come. “It was meant to be,” she adds.
