In memory of

Nina Kleja

May 24, 1924 -  September 25, 2021



Nina Kleja (nee Kulikowski) Nina passed away suddenly after living an active and independent life to the very end on September 25, 2021 at the age of 97. Loving mother to Anna, devoted grandmother to Katrina and predeceased by her husband Les. Born and raised in Ukraine, Nina lived through the Holodomor (Terror-Famine) from 1932-1933 and the Nazi German occupation of her homeland during World War II. The advancing Russian army into Ukraine forced Nina to flee with her parents to Poland in the middle of the night and eventual refuge to Hamburg, leaving behind her dear sister Maria and her extended family. Following the end of the war, Nina and her parents found freedom and a new home in Australia where she learned a new language, a new way of life, met her beloved husband Les (Ladislav) who emigrated from Slovakia, and where her daughter was born. Finally settling in Canada years later, Nina was a true survivor- resilient, strong, courageous and independent, always wanting the best opportunities for her family, celebrating family milestones or holidays and cooking Ukrainian meals and doting on her beloved granddaughter Katrina (Katrinka). Nina remained strong in body, mind and spirit and aged gracefully, youthful for her 97 years. Determined to remain in her home, she was able to do so with the care of her dedicated and loving caregiver Claire, walking each day around the neighbourhood with the assistance of Claire and her cane. She was the neighbourhood Grandmother, a friend to many, cherished by her daughter and granddaughter and family in Ukraine, Slovakia and Germany. She is an inspiration to us all. A funeral will be held Monday, October 4, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Pine Hills Cemetery and Funeral Centre. Visitation from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Interment to follow at Pine Hills Cemetery, 625 Birchmount Road, Scarborough ON M1K 1R1

*** The funeral service will be live streamed for those unable to attend in person starting at 1:45 pm on Monday, October 4, 2021. The link will appear at the top of the page during this time.

Guestbook 

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AIDAN & MAUREEN HALEY (Friends ofAnnaGot you)

Entered September 29, 2021 from PICTON, ON.Friends of Anna.

Got you covered!!!

Claire Sales (Friend)

Entered September 29, 2021 from 62 Fraserton Cres Scarborough Ontario M1J1S8

1 Pm

Otmar and Barbara Merk (Friends)

Entered September 30, 2021 from Guildwood Village

We will miss you forever, Nina!

Phillip Norton 

Entered October 4, 2021 from Picton, Ontario

I met Nina when she was only 93! Immediately I could tell that she was a dignified woman, always well-dressed, standing tall, perfectly mannered and certain of what she wanted and didn't want. Her stories of her childhood during the war fascinated me and I was aware that hearing her tell it with her Ukrainian accent, this was a rare glimpse into history from a first-hand witness to events that continue to shape our world. I feel blessed to have spent many family holidays and home visits with her and watched the 3 generations of Kleya-Buchanan women interact, including one Christmas building the family tree online ancestry together with Nina adding details from her keen memory going back nearly a century. Her stories and traditions and personality traits live on in Anna and Katrina and she will not be forgotten.

Julia,Nina and Boris Nemirovski (relatives)

Entered October 5, 2021 from Ukraine

You will be forever in our hearts and our memory

Life Stories 

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Anna Buchanan (Daughter)

Entered September 28, 2021 from Toronto

Nina Kleja (nee Kulikowski) Nina passed away suddenly after living an active and independent life to the very end on September 25, 2021 at the age of 97. Loving mother to Anna, devoted grandmother to Katrina and predeceased by her husband Les. Born and raised in Ukraine, Nina lived through the Holodomor (Terror-Famine) from 1932-1933 and the Nazi German occupation of her homeland during World War II. The advancing Russian army into Ukraine forced Nina to flee with her parents to Poland in the middle of the night and eventual refuge to Hamburg, leaving behind her dear sister Maria and her extended family. Following the end of the war, Nina and her parents found freedom and a new home in Australia where she learned a new language, a new way of life, met her beloved husband Les (Ladislav) who emigrated from Slovakia, and where her daughter was born. Finally settling in Canada years later, Nina was a true survivor- resilient, strong, courageous and independent, always wanting the best opportunities for her family, celebrating family milestones or holidays and cooking Ukrainian meals and doting on her beloved granddaughter Katrina (Katrinka). Nina remained strong in body, mind and spirit and aged gracefully, youthful for her 97 years. Determined to remain in her home, she was able to do so with the care of her dedicated and loving caregiver Claire, walking each day around the neighbourhood with the assistance of Claire and her cane. She was the neighbourhood Grandmother, a friend to many, cherished by her daughter and granddaughter and family in Ukraine, Slovakia and Germany. She is an inspiration to us all. A funeral will be held Monday, October 4, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Pine Hills Cemetery. Visitation from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Interment to follow at Pine Hills Cemetery, 625 Birchmount Road, Scarborough ON M1K 1R1

Photos 

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