Jeanne (Friend)

Entered May 20, 2024 from Toronto

Jasmina, My deepest to you and your family for your loss. Thinking of you during this sad time. Nada was a wonderful, kind and special person. I am honored to have known Nada over the many years.

Bernadette Dario 

Entered May 23, 2024

My sincerest and deepest condolences Mirsad and family. May your Mom rest in peace.

Dzeva Adilovic-Burkic (Community Member)

Entered May 23, 2024 from Mississauga

Thank you for everything you have done for our community. Your kindness will always be remembered.

Michelle DePina (Friend)

Entered May 23, 2024 from Mississauga

Peace be with you, and a wish for serenity to your loved ones.

Nada Dragišić was born on October 22, 1941 to Petar & Smiljana, in Pribudić, Croatia.

She was the first of 2 children, followed by her brother David (3 years younger). Life was difficult in those days and sadly their father died when they were still quite young. Smiljana remarried to Petar Šijan and they had 2 more children (brothers Dušan and Milan). Tragically however Petar also passed away too early and Smiljana was left to raise the children herself. But she had Nada's help, and Nada quickly learned how to cook for the family and take care of her younger siblings. Although it was hard work, she soon developed a lifelong passion for cooking & baking.

Upon finishing school Nada went off to Beograd to learn to be a seamstress. It was there that she met and eventually married her husband Tahir Pita in 1962. Their son Mirsad was born in 1963, followed by a daughter, Jasmina in 1969. Between those years their lives were very active! The family made a bold decision to emigrate from the former Yugoslavia and seek opportunity abroad, first to Paris France then ultimately to Toronto Canada in 1967. The young couple worked hard to build a life together in their new country. They established their own business and in the spring of 1969 they bought a house in Etobicoke, just in time for daughter Jasmina's arrival in December that year!

The subsequent years were full of life & work; building their business, raising the children (music lessons, language classes at Nikola Tesla Saturday School in Toronto, folklore dancing) and being active in support of various Yugoslav ex-patriot communities.

Although they lived in Canada, Nada & Tahir maintained strong connections to their family and friends back home throughout their lives. This included frequent visits back to visit relatives, as well as hosting others coming to visit her in Canada. Her house was always open and welcoming to family and friends, and friends of friends! There was always the aroma of good food and she made the best cheese & spinach pita, and cabbage rolls, among many other traditional specialties.

Throughout her life, Nada cherished her family above all else, especially her four grandchildren; Katie, Connor, Cameron and Kimberley. When they were young the grandkids took great glee in celebrating their Baka's TWO birthdays each year! This was something that began because of an error in her government paperwork, but every year we would have an "official" birthday in October and her REAL birthday in November!

She was a devoted wife and mother who worked tirelessly to provide love and support to her family in good times and bad times. After the kids had grown she became active in the bookkeeping and management of the family business for many years. When Tahir had a stroke at 72 years of age, Nada became his primary caregiver until he passed 5 years later in 2013.

Nada lived in her own house until her final days. Sometimes through difficult circumstances, overcoming 2 different cancers, plus COVID and other age-related medical difficulties, but happily and comfortably on account of the love and care she received from family, especially her devoted son & daughter.

Nada passed away at Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga on May 17th, 2024. Although she had been very ill in Intensive Care for over a month, she was starting to improve, so it was still an unexpected outcome for the family when the time came.

Her nurturing spirit, unwavering strength and beautiful smile will forever be remembered by everyone who knew her. Nada leaves behind a legacy of kindness, resilience, and unconditional love that will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to have known her.