It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother and aunt, Staka Radovanovic. Staka passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on September 9th, 2026, in her 103rd year. She is predeceased by her dear husband, Bozo, and four siblings.

Staka was a wonderful mother to her daughters Vida and Helen, and to her son-in-law, Terry Hrynyshyn. She was a loving grandmother to Alexander, Lucas and his wife Shanella; and to her many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Staka was born in the rural village of Postoljani, Nevesinje, Herzegovina, on July 30th, 1924. At a young age, Staka tended to the sheep and learned the hard labour lessons of farming while weaving in her “spare time.”
Staka had very happy memories of her parents, grandparents, aunts and siblings until the Second World War when the region was occupied by a complex alliance of Nazis, multi-ethnic locals and partisan communists.
In 1944, Staka lost her mother Vida, when she was killed by a mortar that hit their family orchard as she shielded her youngest child Luka and daughter Lubica. Her family was persecuted and spied upon as they were thought to be assisting the Allied Forces and Chetniks through the rest of war; and even later by the communist regime that took over Yugoslavia. Those later years were also filled with hardship for the family for their political and religious beliefs with the jailing and torturing of her father and forced labour work camps for the rest of the family.

In 1958, Staka came to Toronto for a six week visit with her sister Lubica and brother-in-law Blagojie. Here she met Bozo, 12 years her senior, and was coaxed into marrying him before she was to return. A sudden introduction turned into a very happy marriage of 42 years.

Staka was a very proud and thankful Canadian. Throughout her life, she showed quiet wisdom, strength and resilience in the face of adversity by focusing on helping others. She was hard working, able to manage a family, household, arts and crafts and work at Sears Canada on Mutual Street until her retirement.
Her Christian Orthodox faith and Serbian Culture was important to her and Bozo. They sponsored many family members on their journeys to Canada. Her family became part of the St. Archangel Michael Church community in Toronto -- going to church, bringing their children to participate in Serbian folklore dances, and the church choir; as well as volunteering in the kitchen at weekly community events.

Staka is remembered by many in the community for her nurturing kindness; by the warmth she showed others and, of course, by her wonderful baking and cooking skills (which she learned after she came to Canada). Proud of her Serbian heritage, she kept their traditions alive in this country.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church Toronto or the charity of your choosing.

A mass and celebration of Staka’s life will be held at York Funeral Centre, 160 Beecroft Rd., Toronto, ON, M2N 5Z5. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 5 until 8 pm, with a Funeral Service and burial taking place on Friday, September 18, 2026, at the same location beginning at 1 pm.