Obituary of Magda Czigler

It is hard to imagine Sunday nights without Magda at her dining table, serving up those amazing meals, beaming at the family surrounding her: her daughters Madeleine and Eva Czigler, son-in-law Peter Herrndorf and her grandchildren - the joys of her life - Marcus and Laura Piscaer; Katherine and Matthew Herrndorf, Marcus's partner Sipo Maphangoh and until April 23, 2003, her husband of 62 years, Steven. Over the many decades, we never missed a Sunday meal, because this weekly ritual was the centerpiece of her life and ours. Magda stirred her heart into every dish on that table and she showered her family with a generosity that was all encompassing. Her journey began in Hungary and her life hurdles were many: World War II and the loss of Steven's family; escape from Hungary in 1956, leaving her mother and sisters behind; starting a new life in Canada. Through it all, Magda kept a sharp focus on the things most important to her life: her family, her impeccable home, the importing business she built and ran with Steven; the devoted friends she treasured for decades: Eva Altay, Elizabeth Farago and Ingrid Foldes. While Magda had little vanity, she took great pride in her appearance: her clothes were well cut, hair always perfectly coiffed, her skin smooth and unlined, even at age 94. She loved ballet, opera, classical music, books, movies, fine chocolates, flowers and furry creatures (especially her cat Mookie). Her four grandchildren flourished under her care as babies, toddlers and teenagers. Once grown and spread all over the world (Laura in London, Matthew in Paris, Marcus and Katherine in Toronto), they returned often to fuel up on Magda's cooking and cuddles, sharing their stories, in which she took great pride. Marcus was her special guardian angel: dispensing a cocktail of vitamins, vigilance and pure heart. He was chief-of-staff of her medical advocacy team. The home team that supported her during the last few years also responded in kind to her sweet, gentle nature: Erzsi Janko learned to cook the Magda meals and was at the head of the care circle that included Evelyn, Alma, Maya, Norma and briefly but significantly, Marisha. Magda's family will continue to gather on Sunday nights to honour this generous, loving, sweet woman. We all know it won't be the same without her strong spirit and warm presence. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME - A.W. MILES CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 5:00 p.m. until the time of service at 6:00 p.m. in the chapel on Sunday, May 2, 2010. If desired, and in lieu of flowers, donations made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2300 Yonge Street, Suite 1300, P.O. Box 2414, Toronto M4P 1E4 or to the Canadian Opera Company, 227 Front Street East, Toronto M5A 1E8 would be very much appreciated.