In Celebration of
Ursel Kubasik
March 4, 1940 - July 19, 2024
Ursel Hanna Kubasik, a beloved mother, cherished grandmother, and spirited individual, passed away on July 19, 2024, in Toronto, Canada, at the age of 84. She was born on March 4, 1940, in Galitten, East Prussia.
Ursel, affectionately known as “Oma”, was born into a large and close-knit family with a rich history. Her family bred Trakehner horses and managed a large estate producing various crops. Her great grandfather, an indigenous Sami hailing from northern Finland, immigrated to East Prussia to breed horses. Sadly, much of this heritage was lost during World War II. Ursel, her mother, grandmother, and brothers Rudy and Helmut survived the Russian invasion of East Prussia, becoming refugees who eventually settled in the small farming community of Nubbel in northern Germany. Sister Krystal joined them a few months later. Life was challenging, and the family faced years of hardship before settling into their new lives. Oma particularly loved the swim club and “making trouble” with her older brother, Rudy.
From a young age, Ursel showed a nurturing spirit, becoming a children's nurse in her teens and working in an orphanage in Lennep, Germany. In pursuit of new opportunities, Ursel immigrated to Canada, where she joined her fiancé, Franz Robert Kubasik. They were married in 1963 and were together for 60 years until Franz's passing in December 2023.
Ursel was irreverent, liberal in her thoughts, intelligent, and rebellious. Her diminutive size was in no way reflective of her larger-than-life persona, charisma and Prussian sensibilities. She believed in forging one's own path, even if it meant challenging conventional norms. Known for her kindness, warmth, and sharp wit, Ursel had a smile that could light up a room. She took immense pride in her children, Wendy (Steve Mataija) and Oliver (Christine Pimento), her pups Rudy, Jasper and Diana, and her grandson, Maximilian Mataija. Oma was proud that she introduced Max to dinosaurs, fossil hunting in the Humber River and paleontology, a lifelong passion and his chosen career path.
The family will hold a private ceremony to celebrate Ursel's life. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Dorothy Ley Hospice are welcomed, honoring Ursel's compassionate spirit and dedication to caring for others.
The family would like to thank those wonderful souls who took care of her in her final years. Dr. Rachel Wortzman at the Dorothy Ley Hospice, Dr. Karen Yee at Princess Margaret Hospital (and her Assistant Michelle and the excellent nursing team at PMH), as well as Vida, Rita, Dawa B and Abena from Storefront Humber. Oma particularly enjoyed her Friday morning “tea parties” with Miss Vida.
Ursel, affectionately known as “Oma”, was born into a large and close-knit family with a rich history. Her family bred Trakehner horses and managed a large estate producing various crops. Her great grandfather, an indigenous Sami hailing from northern Finland, immigrated to East Prussia to breed horses. Sadly, much of this heritage was lost during World War II. Ursel, her mother, grandmother, and brothers Rudy and Helmut survived the Russian invasion of East Prussia, becoming refugees who eventually settled in the small farming community of Nubbel in northern Germany. Sister Krystal joined them a few months later. Life was challenging, and the family faced years of hardship before settling into their new lives. Oma particularly loved the swim club and “making trouble” with her older brother, Rudy.
From a young age, Ursel showed a nurturing spirit, becoming a children's nurse in her teens and working in an orphanage in Lennep, Germany. In pursuit of new opportunities, Ursel immigrated to Canada, where she joined her fiancé, Franz Robert Kubasik. They were married in 1963 and were together for 60 years until Franz's passing in December 2023.
Ursel was irreverent, liberal in her thoughts, intelligent, and rebellious. Her diminutive size was in no way reflective of her larger-than-life persona, charisma and Prussian sensibilities. She believed in forging one's own path, even if it meant challenging conventional norms. Known for her kindness, warmth, and sharp wit, Ursel had a smile that could light up a room. She took immense pride in her children, Wendy (Steve Mataija) and Oliver (Christine Pimento), her pups Rudy, Jasper and Diana, and her grandson, Maximilian Mataija. Oma was proud that she introduced Max to dinosaurs, fossil hunting in the Humber River and paleontology, a lifelong passion and his chosen career path.
The family will hold a private ceremony to celebrate Ursel's life. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Dorothy Ley Hospice are welcomed, honoring Ursel's compassionate spirit and dedication to caring for others.
The family would like to thank those wonderful souls who took care of her in her final years. Dr. Rachel Wortzman at the Dorothy Ley Hospice, Dr. Karen Yee at Princess Margaret Hospital (and her Assistant Michelle and the excellent nursing team at PMH), as well as Vida, Rita, Dawa B and Abena from Storefront Humber. Oma particularly enjoyed her Friday morning “tea parties” with Miss Vida.