Thursday, October 12, 2023
Mom, or Tonka, as she was affectionately called by her friends was born in 1937 in the former Yugoslavia. She lived in a small village with her grandparents and sister while her mother worked in the city. When Antonia met her first husband Josip, they began a new life together having their only daughter. They quickly realized they needed to escape the communism in Yugoslavia. They fled across the border to Italy to a refugee camp. After a year, the ship to Canada was available. Landing in Regina, they struggled with English to find jobs, but with new friendships came new beginnings. Mom enjoyed vacations in Mexico, gardening and canning, cooking and baking. One of her proudest moments was serving the Queen at the Hotel Saskatchewan. Antonia was thrilled and absolutely loved her grandchildren Ryan and Sheena.
Josip passed after 41 wonderful years building a life together. After five years, she met Richard and they enjoyed dancing and had many memories of vacations across Canada. They had a loving marriage for more than 20 years, before his passing.
Mom was blessed with great grandchildren Emily and Ethan, who she truly loved and spoiled. She was a most endearing mom, wife, Baka, great-grandma, and friend, and will always be loved and missed by us all.
