Peacefully in hospital, Toronto, Canada. Survived by her spouse Warren Shiau. Predeceased by her parents Iwan and Aleksandra Janczyk, and brother Igor, of Jersey City, NJ.

Taisa was born in the aftermath of WW2, in Camp E of the American Occupation Zone, Ingolstadt, Germany, where she lived until 1950 when her parents were able to emigrate via steamship to New York City. Life in New York was initially hard as well, but Taisa's memories of these times were always relayed with a soft smile: "The American soldiers were always nice, and they had everything, including chocolate. They were kind, they would always give me some;" "It was the ghetto, a cold-water tenement up five flights of stairs, but I was a child, and everything was wonderful, it really was. There were so many children. I had so many friends."

As time passed Taisa's father, Iwan, found custodial work with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and mother, Aleksandra, with Morgan Guaranty Trust. This was during a time when such institutions took care of even custodial staff: Taisa's parents kept these jobs the rest of their lives and were afforded financial security and the ability to buy their house in Jersey City, NJ. Stability and security allowed Taisa to blossom. High school classmates recall: "Everyone wanted to be Taisa;" "She was so beautiful and knew everything;" "She was the kindest person I knew, she helped everyone." The unfortunate reality of these times was that university education was not possible for Taisa, but she educated herself so she could speak knowledgeably and at length about anything from opera to world politics.

As a young woman Taisa found long-term work as a showroom model for Ben Thalen Furs and catalogue model, and did pick-up work at clubs such as handling lights at concerts. The people she met and made close friends with during these times in New York represented life in the city - from famous fashion photographers and artists to club owners, staff at her favourite deli, the knish cart vendor, old money New Yorkers, and neighbours at and shopkeepers around her loft at 319 Canal Street, then a rough and tumble area of Soho long before gentrification even seemed like a possibility.

Taisa and Warren Shiau met in New York City and were married in 1995 at the Lower Manhattan Courthouse. They lived at 423 East 82nd Street, Upper East Side before relocating to Canada for Warren's career. Preceding and during this time Taisa endured several tragedies but persevered and became a loved member of the College Park and Church-Wellesley communities in Toronto. She will always be remembered as a wonderful spirit and beautiful soul. Despite the failing health of Taisa's last years, the magnetism and warmth of her personality and character always shone brightly.

The evening of her birthday, February 23rd, starting at 7PM, a memorial gathering will be held at the College Park apartment. Those wishing to attend may email warrenshiau@gmail.com to RSVP.

Per Taisa's wishes she is being cremated. The cremation will take place at Mount Pleasant Crematorium Saturday, January 27th at 1PM. Those attending the witnessing of the cremation are asked to arrive at the crematorium for 12:30PM. Capacity is limited to 30 people.

The grief of your passing will remain until we are reunited.