In Celebration of

ERIKA MIHALIĆ

March 20, 1926 - August 6, 2020

Erika Mihalić, née Slavica Špoljar-Petreković, passed away on Thursday, August 6, 2020, at the age of 94, surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her husband Anton, who loved her dearly and was always delighted by her sense of humour, gift of song, love of gardening, cooking and baking, that created a joyful atmosphere in their home. Erika is survived by her children, Nancy Mihalic Manning (Kieth) and Harvey Mihalic (Kristal), and grandchildren, Anthony (Ante), Katrina (Katek) and Matthew (Matek). Born in idyllic Belec, Croatia, and baptized at Our Lady of the Snow, Erika overcame great hardship as a child in a labor camp during WW2, escaped the iron curtain alone, and was granted refugee status in Canada. Her fierce independence, love of life and family, and diligence helped her forge ahead. She put her great gift of languages and love of people to use in her career as an interpreter. After the untimely death of her beloved Anton, she raised their children by herself with great courage, fierce loyalty and eternal optimism. Erika will always be our beloved Mama, Baka and Bakabi.

Guestbook

(5 of 5)

Daniel Havoic (Family acquaintance from Belec and Toronto)

Entered August 9, 2020 from Mississauga

Our deepest sympathies for the loss of your mother. Daniel (Danny) Havoic

Fra Ante Jurić

Entered August 9, 2020 from SPLIT - CROATIA

Poznvao sam Eriku kao divni ženu, majku i baku. Kad bi posjećivao Obitelj Keith and Nency Manning, redovito sam tamo susrećao i Eriku koja je bila jako plemenita i istinski kršćanska osoba. Posebno se sjećam kakko je lijepo odgajala svoju unučad.

Dubravko i Ivanka Kovacic

Entered August 10, 2020 from Markham

Please accept our sympathy for your loss.

michael holowka (An aquaintance)

Entered August 10, 2020 from Mississauga

Erika and her husband "Tony" rented the upstairs second floor of my parents' home (290 Perth Avenue, Toronto) shortly after their marriage. I was 10 years younger than Erika at the time and don't remember much...other than she and Tony were beautiful people.....friendly, down to earth and hard working. Erika baked many different pastries and would always share them with us. We lost touch shortly after they moved out. My condolences to all her extended family. I remember her as very gracious in all she did. (Tony was tall, dark and had a mustache.)

George Kovacic (Friend and Godfather)

Entered August 10, 2020 from BURNABY

Dear Nancy, Anthony, Katek, Kieth and Harvey,

Our deepest condolences. We are very sorry to hear about the passing of your beloved Mom and Grandmother. She was a person I highly respected. She overcame a Nazi labour camp as a child, communism as a young adult and the loss of her husband as a young Mom. Despite all, she excelled. She raised two children, helped with her grandchildren, had a successful career as an interpreter even though she learned English as an adult.

I fondly remember how she worked tirelessly to help her Croatia. She wrote letters to global leaders. She told them how as a Croatian child she was sent to a Nazi labour camp in Germany. How the communist narrative on Croatia was propaganda. I am confident that her efforts made a difference.

She and her confidence now lives through you all.

I am honored to have known such a strong women.

George, Suzana, Sofija, Stefan, Luka and Pavao