Obituary of DRAHOMIRA RANDA

DRAHOMIRA RANDA On March 3, 2015 at Concordia Hospital, Drahomira (Dada) Randa, beloved Mother, Grandmother and Friend, passed away at the age of 80 years. She is survived by son Bill(Lucy), daughter Eli (Irek) and grandchildren Stefan, Kristine, and Tomas, all residing in Winnipeg. She also leaves to mourn her sister-in-law Anuska, her nephew Pavel, and their families in Prague. She was predeceased by her parents Jan and Vilemina Mareska, her brother Vlastimil, sister Vera and her husband of 53 years, Josef. Drahomira was born in Prague in 1934, the youngest of three children. Dada often called herself a “survivor”. Her life was filled with challenges from a very early age. During WWII she and her family chose to aid many families and allied troops by working with the underground, assisting Jewish friends and neighbors escape the horrors of war and aiding allied troops into Czechoslovakia. They paid a horrible price for their efforts, both her parents and her brother and sister endured the tortures of concentration camps. Her father never returned to his family and her mother was rescued from death by an allied doctor with a good eye and swift reflexes. Just after the war Dada was sent to Switzerland with the Red Cross, as she put it – to be fattened up. This is where her love of the outdoors, green spaces and wild flowers was born. In 1952 she married Josef Randa. She gave birth to Bill in 1956, her pride in him grew with every year. In 1963 she welcomed her daughter Eli and their family was complete. In 1968, while vacationing in Split, Croatia, Dada and Joe made a heart wrenching decision not to return to Prague. Dada did not want her children to live through political upheaval and possible war, so the family emigrated to Canada via Vienna, Austria. She wanted her family to live in freedom, her children not to be forced into armed service and dreamed of a good education and open opportunities for both her kids. Arriving in Winnipeg with nothing but beach clothes and no understanding of the language was a challenge she faced head on. Dada took a job at Rice Fashions as a clothing inspector, and often made clothes for the family with remnants from work. When offered a chance at a new career in a dental lab as a crown and bridge technician her artistic talents served her well. She worked for many years at Manitoba Dental Lab, and then continued her career at Omega Dental Lab, retiring in 1996. Dada was determined to teach her kids about the world and encouraged them to work hard in school. When the family could finally afford a house in the late ‘70s, she began to indulge her love of all things green and living. Her garden was her refuge. Travel was not easy to afford, yet they managed to see much of the Caribbean as well as some of Europe while Josef was alive. Both of her children inherited her passion for travel. After her husband’s passing, Dada embarked on a few adventures with her friends Millie and Will, and then with her daughter and son-in-law. It was her mission to re-unite with her remaining relatives in Prague, one she joyously accomplished. Drahomira loved spending time with her grand-children and was very proud of the adults they have become. She also relished the strong bonds she had with her friends Eva, Marge and Millie. Her relationships with her son-in-law Irek and daughter-in-law Lucy were precious to her. Everyone who met her was swept up in her enthusiasm for life and her optimistic outlook. Dada was proud to be Canadian, but never let go of her roots in Prague. She knew every nook and side street in her home town, even after four decades away. Her stories and anecdotes from her childhood were always about the good times. She loved fully and unconditionally. There is now a void which will never be filled. A heartfelt thank you to the staff at Concordia Hospital ICU and N1S for their care and compassion. A Celebration of Drahomira’s Life will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dada’s name can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Concordia Hospital Foundation, or to the charity of your choice.