We are heartbroken to announce the death our mother Vida at the age of 97. In a particular cruelty, she was taken from us on Christmas morning. But what a life journey she had!

Vida was born on a farm in the small village of Jurkloster, Slovenia (then part of Yugoslavia) in 1927. She lived through the German occupation of her country during WW2. In 1948, she was walking down the hill from her farm when she passed a handsome stranger going the other way. Both looked back. They must have liked what they saw, because they married in 1949 and had five children together.

It wasn’t a straight forward path. Her husband Andrej fled Yugoslavia for Canada in 1952, and it was only 3 years later that Vida was able to join him with her three little girls. Together they built a happy life, adding two boys to the family. They so loved their new country! The Srebotnjak home on Aviation Road was the gathering place for so many happy occasions, not just for the family, but for the friends that her kids starting bringing home. There was always someone in the house, and always something fabulous cooking on the stove.

As her family grew, Vida remained the unwavering anchor. She was adored by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and pretty much everyone who knew her. After the death of her husband in 2006, she lived on her own until the age of 92. She bore the death of her beloved first-born child, Rose, with strength and grace.
She leaves behind her remaining children, Andrea (John), Tina (Brian), Tony (Arlene) and David (Jolene) as well as Rose’s husband Jim. Also mourning her are her grandchildren, Leslie (Bruce), Adam (Kate), John (Stephanie), Nicole, Emily and Katie (Kevin). Her great-grandchildren, Alexa, Ashley, Nolan, Breeana, Michael and Madelyn were all lucky to have spent time with her.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Agecare Westbury, who cared for her with such compassion and kindness for the past 2 years. A special thanks to her personal caregivers, Ivy, James and Joy, who spent so many evening hours chatting with her, or watching TV, and holding her hand.

The family will receive condolences on Monday, January 6 from 10 to 11 am. There will be a chapel service at 11, followed by a private burial.