In Celebration of

Ljubica Belic

May 15, 1932 -  September 28, 2024

Our beloved mother, Ljubica Belic, nee Hrelec, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at the age of 92. Devoted wife to Zivota (late), loving mother to Tom (late), Snjezana, Darko and Rene. Cherished grandmother to Marianna (late) and great-grandmother, sister and aunt to many.

Born May 15, 1932 in Zagreb, Croatia, she was the only sibling out of nine who left her home land and immigrated to Canada in 1958. She quickly embraced her new life with enthusiasm, taking English lessons at night and working in her husband's printing shop collating, proof-reading and running the Gordon printing press. After her husband's passing in 1979, she started a new adventure from 1984 working in the travel industry until the age of 90.

She was an avid reader and kept current of national and world events. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and was a loyal, die-hard Blue Jays fan. Even during their worst season she would cheer them on or curse them from the first day of spring training to the last regular season game. She had an amazing sense of humour, was very witty, enjoyed swimming, and playing piano. Her love of classical music was passed on to her children. She was a proud Choir School mom and a St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica parishioner for over 50 years. She was a companion to Kathleen Mann who was a pillar of the choir school.

To paraphrase a quote, her faith had been the bedrock foundation of her life, provided comfort in moments of loss and tragedy, kept her grounded and humbled in times of triumph and joy.
Our mother will be greatly missed and always in our hearts.

Friends may call at the Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street West, on Sunday, October 6, 2024 from 5-8pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Michael’s Cathedral, 65 Bond Street, on Monday, October 7, 2024 at 10am. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests donations be made to the Kensington Hospice.

Guestbook 

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Walter pasveer (Friend)

Entered October 1, 2024 from Calgary

My deepest condolences to all of the family, I was very sad to hear this💕

Mark Bronson (Friend)

Entered October 1, 2024 from Oakville

Condolences, Peace, and Blessings

Geoffrey Rawlinson (Colleague)

Entered October 1, 2024 from Toronto, Canada

Rene and family - deepest condolences on your mom's passing. She was such a vibrant part of the Choir School community - she will be missed. Your entire family will be in our prayers. God bless.

- The Rawlinson Family

Helga McReynolds (Friend)

Entered October 2, 2024 from Maple Ridge, BC

My sincerest, heartfelt sympathy to Snjezana, Darko and Rene on the loss of your loving mother. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Helga

Laurie LeFave (Partner of 30 years to son Rene)

Entered October 3, 2024 from Lindsay

Wise, calm, gracious and kind , a beautiful person in mine and my adopted daughter’s life Ella LeFave. The first time my daughter met Ljubica she was a wild little girl and yet very soon she was snuggled in beside her and fell asleep in her lap. A wonderful cook we loved trying her traditional Croatian cooking and curling up with her to watch Columbo, an old movie or to have a chat about the Royals! She had a peaceful connection to creatures great and small and loved to feed the birds in her balcony. Her passion for music was shared by my beloved partner and her youngest son Rene as they tried to guess which composer behind a piece playing in classical 96! Ljubica was a warm beautiful mother and grandmother figure who helped shape our lives with her special brand of love.💕🙏♥️
Bless your soul in to the warm arms of Jesus. Let it be, the song you and my father loved by the Beatles will always remind me of you when I hear it, ..especially..” When I find myself in times of darkness, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be… Thanks be to God for your wonderful living example of love. - Laurie and Ella LeFave

Photos 

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