Survivor. Immigrant. Mother. Cleaning lady. Born Sept. 7, 1929, in Nakovo, Yugoslavia; died March 2, 2019, in Mississauga, of medically assisted death; aged 89
Survivor. Immigrant. Mother. Cleaning lady. Born Sept. 7, 1929, in Nakovo, Yugoslavia; died March 2, 2019, in Mississauga of medically assisted death; aged 89.
Stripped of their home and possessions by the Communists, Joe emigrated to Toronto in 1953 and Grete followed nearly a year later with their daughters, five-year-old Katy and five-month-old Heidi. Besides the clothes on her back, all she brought was a red enamel cooking pot. The family started from scratch in a new world, struggling to learn a new language and culture. But a few days after her arrival in Toronto, she suddenly stopped on the sidewalk and declared, “I like this place.
Because of the deprivation of the camp experience, good, nutritious food became essential to Grete’s world. She raised chickens for their fresh eggs and loved cooking, making cakes, cookies, preserves and homemade wine. She also needed to keep moving. She possessed a legendary energy and drive and was always using her hands: cleaning, gardening, knitting, crocheting or playing cards with friends.
As a couple, Grete and Joe enjoyed dancing to German polkas and, in midlife, spent some of their hard-earned money taking annual winter vacations in Mexico. In her 80s, Grete worked as a volunteer making sandwiches at a local seniors centre, where she was older than some of the seniors she served. That’s why her rapid decline over her last months was so challenging. She could no longer do the things that mattered most to her and felt she was no longer of use to anyone.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Canada's main stock index falls slightly after two-day break, U.S. markets mixedCanada's main stock index gave back some of its recent gains on Friday in its first day of trading since the Christmas and Boxing Day break.
Read more »
Raptors beat Celtics 113-97 to avenge Christmas lossPlaying their first game since losing by 16 to the Celtics on Wednesday — the first NBA game in Canada on Christmas — the Raptors never trailed in breaking a two-game losing streak
Read more »
Canada's Alexis Lafreniere leaves game vs. Russia with injury - Sportsnet.caTeam Canada forward Alexis Lafreniere left during the second period of Saturday's game against Russia after appearing to suffer a lower-body injury.
Read more »
Canada's Alexis Lafreniere leaves in second period - TSN.caTeam Canada’s road to gold at the World Junior Championship took a dark turn on Saturday. Projected No. 1 overall pick Alexis Lafreniere left Saturday’s contest against Team Russia early in the second period after a collision with goaltender Amir Miftakhov on a take to the net.
Read more »
'Queen of Giraffes' among new Order of Canada recipients with global influenceTalk about sticking her neck out for Canada.
Read more »
How we’ll eat in the decade aheadWith a shift in attitude toward cooking and eating, lets also pay more attention to the way we talk about food
Read more »