In Loving Memory of Ioana Radu
June 23, 1928 – June 8, 2025

With hearts full of love and gratitude, we announce the peaceful passing of Ioana, affectionately known as Frumoasa, Jenny and Mimi on the morning of June 8, 2025, in Toronto, Canada, just days before her 97th birthday.

She is survived by her devoted children, Zoia and Gabriel, Doina and Vladimir. Her legacy continues through her beloved grandchildren Georgiana and Carlos, and great-grandchildren Marco and Angelo, each of whom she loved (and cared for) with boundless pride. She is also remembered by extended family in Romania and by her adored non-human grandchildren, Spikey, Luna, and Kino, who brought her endless joy and comfort — and surely now reunited with Ronny, her other non-human grandson.

She was born in Romania in 1928, living in Bucharest through the troubled years of the World War II and its aftermath. After the war, she first worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then spent many rewarding years working for the Scientific and Encyclopedic Publishing House.

After the passing of her beloved husband Marin, and of her cherished sister Constanta, she came to Canada to join her children and grandchildren.

Here her warmth and positive energy helped start many life-long friendships which truly became part of our extended family. She was very active, bringing people together for trips, concerts, social games – and always ready when someone needed help looking after their children – or pets – or plants – or sick loved ones.

Jenny was the matriarch and the heart of her extended family, the steady presence who held generations together with warmth, guidance, and unwavering strength. And too, with meals lovingly prepared, wisdom quietly offered, and a spirit that never stopped giving.

Jenny was a force, gracious and fierce, tender and unshakeable. Her kitchen was a place of healing, her words carried weight, and her embrace made the world feel safe. She never asked for recognition, yet she was the reason so much stood tall.

We are deeply grateful to the wonderful staff at Extendicare Bayview, who cared for her with so much kindness, patient warmth and dedication.

She will remain in our hearts and memories forever, and although her presence will be missed at every family meal and in every whispered prayer, she lives on within each of us, in our hearts, our stories, and the way we love one another.

She was, and will always be, our Mimi.