Nada was born in Osijek, Croatia and lived in the region until she was 13. In 1952, she immigrated to Australia to reunite with her mother, stepfather and her little sister Annie, whom she’d never met at the time.
In 1958, Nada married Zeljko, or as some knew him, as Bill. Her son, Alan, was born in July 1959 and her daughter Sharon, in November 1962. In July 1967 we moved to Canada where we quickly settled in Burlington.
Much of Nada’s life was spent in Burlington where she and Bill had many friends. With many pool parties in the summer and indoor house parties in the winter. As a child, I remember sitting under the kitchen table watching my mom and her friends dance and sing in the kitchen to Tina Turner, “Proud Mary.”
To me, I think her biggest attribute was her ability to make friends and maintain these friendships. It is a fact that our mother still has these same friends in her life for over 60 years. Including those from Australia and Croatia. Our mother had the biggest heart and always put others first. She was friendly to everyone.
Nada was a successful and accomplished seamstress. She started sewing with her grandmother at the age of eight and continued with this passion. She had a drapery business called, “ZANS” in Burlington and also got into making boat covers and upholstery later on. When she wasn’t sewing, she was knitting up a storm. We have many sweaters in the family to attest to that! I can remember my mom sewing herself ‘something to wear’ the day of a function they were going to attend that night. That always impressed us!
After leaving Burlington, my parents purchased some property in Honey Harbour and built a beautiful cottage. I believe when she was living there, she was the happiest. In the summertime, she would have all five grandchildren together with her for at least a couple weeks. I absolutely know those grandchildren have fond memories of those summers spent up north. Baka would play hide and seek with them, take them out on the boat tubing or else it was boat rides to get ice cream at Picnic Island or painting rocks outside. Some of these rocks she still has in her possession because they meant so much to her.
During her lifetime, Nada was able to do some travelling. From her visits to her mother and sister Annie in Australia and on to Croatia where she would visit with her sister-in-law, nieces and nephews and other relatives. She especially loved swimming in the sea in Croatia and enjoying the sun and playing cards with her friends in Cuba. Most recently she went on her first cruise to Alaska. Many Christmases were spent with family in Alberta where she hated the cold but always knew Dennis would have a fire going for her to keep her warm.
Even with the distance in miles between my mother and her sister Annie in Australia, they were able to maintain a strong bond. At first it was with phone calls then this ‘other thing’ called Skype. They began skyping twice a week and the two of them would talk about their growing families and the happenings going on. Mom, I know you are aware that Annie was with you until the end. I know for a fact that you were proud to have her as a little sister and that she adored you as her big sister. Annie sent me an email to read to you at the end which I did through tears, I know you heard me. I absolutely know Annie will miss those Skype dates.
Nada’s biggest love was her husband Zeljko, her children Alan and Sharon and of course her grandchildren. Meghan, Kylah, Steven, Cole and Riley. She was so very proud of them all and I know she would tell them that. Some of the grandchildren blessed Baka with finding a lifelong partner whom she equally loved and then four great grandchildren that followed.
Thank you Mom/Bakie for making us the people we are today. Also, thank you to everyone who has made Nada’s life so special. You were a wonderful influence to us all. There is no doubt you will be missed every minute of every day.
We love you,
XOXO