Obituary of ELIZABETH MARY TOTH

ELIZABETH MARY TOTH On Sunday, November 9, 2014 at St. Boniface Hospital, Elizabeth, beloved wife of the late Andras Toth, passed away at the age of 84 years. She is survived by two sons John (Audrey) and their son Evan; and Andrew (Irene). The Rosary will be said on Saturday, November 15 at 1:30 p.m. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 2:00 p.m. in St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church, Stafford and Jessie. A private interment will take place. Elizabeth was born on October 17, 1930, in Debrecen – the oldest city in Hungary, close to Budapest. She received her education from Léany Zarda – Roman Catholic Girls School in Sátoraljaúheju, Hungary and graduated from high school with honors. On August 21, 1947, she attended an outdoor procession on St. Steven’s Day and met the love of her life, András Toth. Like her, he loved to garden and had a fondness of animals of all kinds. She sang and he whistled. They courted for three years and on November 4th, 1950, they were wed in Felsöregmecz, Hungary. The following year, their eldest son, Andrew, was born. During a time of political conflict and unrest in the region, Elizabeth and her family emigrated from Hungary to Canada in the mid 1950’s. They settled in the Point Douglas area of Winnipeg and began to find worthwhile work in the service industries and establish life-long friendships in their community. Elizabeth easily found her calling in food services. In 1966, their family grew with the arrival of John. Her family later moved into the Windsor Park area of St. Boniface – into a home which she easily graced with her personality and where she would spend the rest of her days watching her family grow up. Life was not without challenges – Elizabeth became a widow in March of 1970 with the passing of her beloved András. She faced the difficulty of being a single mother by immersing herself with her work, caring for her family, and enjoying her friendships and hobbies. Elizabeth’s lasting success and legacy is that she raised two big, strong, intelligent, educated and capable sons. She welcomed their lovely brides into her family and liberally shared her talents and gifts with them. She worked with dedication in the food industry for over 30 years and retired as a Dietary Supervisor at the Health Sciences Center – where she ran the kitchens in the General, Rehab and the Children’s Hospitals. She was highly regarded and an active member in the Roman Catholic Church, participating consistently and regularly with choir groups, prayer groups and in social functions. She loved to create things with her hands – she sewed, embroidered, crocheted, knitted, worked needle point and petit point. She gardened with enviable success, loved to cook big wonderful dinners, and excelled at making extravagant desserts and pastries which always seemed to go first at social gatherings. She generously sprinkled her love and tenderness into everything her hands of gold touched and inspired many around her to do the same. In 1998, Elizabeth’s health became a great challenge for her, but she miraculously rallied back in 2002 when she became Nagymama to her only grandchild, Evan. She lived for watching him grow - she played with him and sang for him and cared for him in his little years. Nagymama was proud of Evan to her last day for being a remarkable student, accomplished piano player, excellent hockey player, and above all, a kind-hearted soul. Elizabeth will be remembered always as the loving mother and fantastic grandmother that she was. The family is blessed to have watched her live a good life, thankful for the gifts of time and love that she offered, and will miss her with infinite measure – with the only solace that she is in peace and once again with her beloved husband. The family extends appreciation to the health care providers and spiritual advisors who helped Elizabeth along her life’s path.