Obituary of Irene Toi

IRENE TOI Born at Laura, Estonia on March 15, 1921 Died at Etobicoke General Hospital on July 13, 2015 Our family, Maret Wannamaker (Oral), Juta Coulter (Terry), Paula Toi, Kim Gillespie (Duncan), Stacey Kapparis (Steve), Courtney Morgan (John), Erika Kean (Tom), John Toi (Sarah), Stefan Toi, Brandon Gillespie, Caitlin Gillespie and Lauren Gillespie and all the great-grandchildren wish to let you know that we have experienced a great loss with the death of our mother. She died peacefully of multiple organ failure, with family at her side. Mother lived a life of adventure and hard work, beginning in Estonia. She travelled as a refugee through Europe, on to Australia, finally settling in the safety of Canada. She worked well into her seventies and continued on a part-time basis until eight years ago. She was the centre of all our family plans and with eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren she always became involved in gift selection and celebrations with great joy. The loss of her husband Harri many years ago and her son John in 2004, caused her great pain, but she forged on. When she finally retired from work she travelled to Israel and Egypt with a Toronto scout troop enjoying her visits to the Wailing Wall, the pyramids and the many outdoor markets. She left with one suitcase and came home with six, helped by several customs personnel as carriers. She ultimately lived in the country near Wasaga Beach for over eight years and filled the house with wildflowers (aka weeds to everyone else). The last year and a half was difficult and after she experienced a number of heart attacks and seizures she required a wheelchair and moved to a long-term care facility in Rexdale. She continued on by participating in many of the activities available there and particularly, bingo, at which she was very lucky. She left us quickly and quietly after being taken to the hospital and simply slipped into eternal sleep. Our father now has her company. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES - NEWBIGGING CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) for a service in the chapel at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, July 20, 2015. Reception and interment to follow. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.