With sad but full hearts, we say goodbye to our cherished mother and Baka, Zdenka (Gloria) Pehar, who passed away peacefully at home on Friday, December 5th, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Zdenka was born on June 27th, 1930, in Zagreb, Croatia. She grew up in a small home filled with warmth, laughter, and the unbreakable bond she shared with her parents and her beloved older sisters, Angela and Ivka.

In 1949 Zdenka met Nikola Pehar at a community dance and their connection was the beginning of a love story that would span more than seven decades. Despite the challenges of post-war Yugoslavia, they dreamed boldly together. Nikola made the dangerous journey out of the country first, escaping to Italy and then to France as they planned for a new life in Canada.

In 1954, Zdenka courageously left her family and traveled alone to France to meet Nikola, only to find that he had been granted passage to Canada shortly after she arrived. With characteristic strength and grace she carried on, working for ten months as a nanny for a French ambassador’s family until she too, secured passage to Canada. At just 24 years old she boarded a ship for a seven-day journey across the Atlantic, arriving at Pier 21 in Halifax. In 1955, she reunited with Nikola in Toronto where their long-awaited reunion led quickly to marriage and the start of their Canadian adventure.

Their early years were filled with hope and struggle in equal measure. Together they embraced their new home, supported by the Croatian Catholic community and by the friendships that became like family. Zdenka worked as a bank teller. Her remarkable organizational and accounting abilities were immediately evident and later she became the bookkeeper for the family’s Tool and Die business. Amid all of this, their family blossomed: Zvonko (1956), Kreso (1958), Vicky (1964), and Nancy (1969).

Zdenka poured her heart into caring for her family. She created a home that radiated love, comfort, and safety—a place where everyone felt welcomed and nurtured. She seemed to have endless energy for cooking, preparing favorite meals, and hosting gatherings, all while working in the family business well into her 70s.

Lake Simcoe became the family’s joyful gathering place. The cottage, filled with barbecues, pig roasts, boat rides, and late-night laughter, is where countless treasured memories were made. Zdenka was the quiet heartbeat of it all—making sure every detail was tended to, ensuring every guest felt cared for, and doing it all so effortlessly that most never saw the magic she worked behind the scenes. She never asked for recognition; her reward was seeing others happy.

Over the years, Zdenka and Nikola opened their hearts and home to many Croatian newcomers, including Nikola’s three nephews. Their generosity helped others find their footing in a new country, and many stayed in their home for months, becoming part of the fabric of the family.

For Zdenka, family was everything. She taught her children by example—how to love deeply, live kindly, work hard, and always take care of one another. Becoming a “Baka” to seven grandchildren was one of the greatest joys of her life. She poured her love into them with endless walks, trips to the park, books, games, mall adventures, treats, gifts, and more hugs and kisses than anyone could ever count. Her pride in her growing family was immeasurable.

Life also brought sorrow. The death of her eldest son, Zvonko, at just 56 was a heartbreak no parent should ever have to go through. Yet, she carried on with quiet strength, anchored by her faith and the love of those around her.

In her later years, Zdenka’s joy multiplied again as twelve great-grandchildren came into the world. Watching her family grow to more than 30 people brought her immense happiness. She and Nikola always felt privileged to have been the foundation of such a large and loving family.

Zdenka's world was forever changed when Nikola passed away just a few short months ago. After nearly seven decades together their lives were inextricably entwined. We find comfort in knowing that they are now reunited.

Zdenka will be remembered for her understated style and class, her sharp intellect, her meticulous bookkeeping skills, her gentle humor, her quiet determination, and above all, her boundless love for her family. Her strength was subtle but unwavering, the kind of strength that carried others without ever calling attention to itself.

Zdenka is survived by her children, Kreso (Julie), Vicky, and Nancy (Marko); her grandchildren, Erin (Ryan), Ashleigh (Rich), John Ryan (Tina), Kyle (Alanna), Brock (Ashley), Jordan (Lilly), and Christian (Allaina); and her great-grandchildren, Miles, Emerson, Emily, Nathan, Lilia, George, Chloe, Travis, Paige, Nolan, Malcolm, and Annika.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make a donation in Zdenka’s honor may consider supporting the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund. This program, part of The Toronto Star Children’s Charities, brings holiday gifts to 50,000 children in need and would be sincerely appreciated.

https://www.thestar.com/initiatives/santa-claus-fund/