Chrobok, Marica (Mary) passed away peacefully at 96 years of age at West Park Long-Term Care. Beloved wife of the late Ludwik Chrobok (1917-2002) for 46 years and loving mother of John (Joy), Kathy (Garry), and Mike (Kathleen). Beloved grandmother to Erica, Doug, Jade, Kent, Cole, Michael, & Nicholas. Survived by her brother Ivica Adzija (Karolina) and predeceased brother Josip Adzija (Anka). Marica will be sorely missed by all her extended family and friends.
Born in Gospic, Croatia, mom came to Canada following WWII. Grateful to have been sponsored by her uncle, Mike Butkovich who supported her application to Canada, she married dad in 1955 and initially lived in Val’dor, Quebec. Our parents moved to Toronto’s Swansea Village in 1960, and mom continued to live in her home until she was 94.

We cherish the memories of our summers spent at Lake Simcoe where our parents had built a cottage and entertained family over the years. As a family we really enjoyed watching “Hockey Night in Canada”, a movie for a Sunday afternoon, or “All in the Family” together.

Mom was an excellent cook and baker. We will especially miss her chicken noodle soup, cabbage rolls, apple strudel and pastries. Her many talents included sewing, knitting, embroidering and crafts. In the garden her plants and vegetables flourished.

As an empty nester, mom became an active member of the Swansea Community Centre and joined many club activities including cake decorating. As a member, she also participated in protests outside Toronto City Hall against the tearing down of the Old Town Hall & The Swansea Legion.

For many years, Mom enjoyed being an active member of SASA, the Swansea Area Senior’s Association. She also served as a community volunteer and was awarded the 20-year Ontario Volunteer Service Award at the celebration of The Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002.

In 1980, mom joined the Swansea Horticultural Society and became a Lifetime Member. In 1998, she won the Society President’s Award from the Ontario Horticultural Association for outstanding contribution in Flower Shows. There were many years when mom volunteered at the CNE for the Horticultural Show. At 89 years of age, she was awarded the “McFarlane Trophy” at the September Flower Show for the best entry. This was most likely for her Dahlia which bloomed in a variety of colours every year in her backyard along with Aster, Geranium, Gladiolus, and Iris.

Mom cherished living in Swansea and the Bloor West Village. She enjoyed going to Rennie Park to watch her kids play hockey or participate in neighbourhood blood donor drives when needed.

At 91 years of age (in 2016) she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Dementia and at 94 moved into West Park Long-Term Care to join her cousin Olga.

We’d like to thank the West Park Long-Term Care Staff, especially Weston Unit’s team, for all their help and support and especially for making West Park feel like a home.

Due to COVID restrictions, mom’s funeral will be a private family service on Friday, June 25th. Sympathy may be expressed through donations to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.