Bozena Sajgalik (nee Barytus)
elevated jBY44 Born: August 10, 1928 –
elevated jBY44 Died: April 2, 2022
elevated jBY44 Bozena Sajgalik, nee Barytus
elevated jBY44 It is with great sadness and some relief that we lay our beloved mother to a peaceful rest. We speak for each other and for many others who have reached out with gratitude to have had their lives touched by this incredible woman we called mom. We are so proud of her accomplishments, her large and generous heart and the example she set for living a rich and beautiful life without regrets.
elevated jBY44 Born in Slovakia, daughter of Maria and prominent architect Jan Barytus, our mom lived an active and full life with interesting friendships of all generations from all walks of life spanning three continents and five countries. Predeceased by loving husband Ladislav, Bozena will be fondly remembered by us, her five children, Peter, Danielle Selem, Andres, Paul, Veronica Pastor and ten grandchildren for her beautiful heart and feisty spirit which made our house a home.
elevated jBY44 Bozena enjoyed academic interests and spirited conversations and was fluent in five languages. She attended The University of Toronto as a mature student and nobly graduated with her Translations degree at the age of fifty-six, taking on select corporate consulting assignments while always passionately advocating for the value of a good education and the ability to earn one’s own living. She was so proud of this achievement that she never removed her University of Toronto watch which she received from us as a graduation gift, even many years after it had stopped working.
elevated jBY44 Bozena loved travelling, skiing, playing tennis frequently followed by social bbqs, throwing (sometimes too) lively parties with her French Canadian friends and keeping the confidences of friends and family members who found themselves in predicaments of all sorts. She was a self-acclaimed tango dancer and had a keen ability to “multiply loaves” à la “Wedding at Cana” to accommodate all of the friends her five kids brought home unexpectedly. Although our home was never finely decorated or overly orderly, she always managed to create a festive atmosphere by whipping out her accordion and breaking out into song to make everyone feel at ease and welcome in our home. Thanks to our mom, warm smells of delicious baking, good humour, buzz, debate, sport, games, activity, and adventure filled our household, much to the delight of the many grandchildren and friends of all ages who frequented our address over the years to enjoy a sense of “family”. Music was a key theme in our house and she loved entertaining others with her lively piano concertos and singing even up to her final days at Richmond Hill Retirement Residences.
elevated jBY44 Mom’s goodwill extended beyond the confines of our house to our neighbours on Gatehead Road where she would bake her famous cafloutis cakes to share with families on “the block”. She was an active volunteer in the community, at The Ursuline School, sang in various choirs, and was actively involved in The Catholic Women’s League of Toronto and The Toronto Cervantes Lions Club.
elevated jBY44 Our heartfelt thanks goes out to the many family friends who have supported Bozena, continuing to visit her in these last years, her dedicated and wonderful team of personal caregivers, the caring staff at Richmond Hill Retirement Residences and the incredible team at the palliative care unit of Mackenzie Health Hospital. We are so appreciative of your kindness during her most difficult moments and know that she was too.
elevated jBY44 “What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us” (Helen Keller). Thank you to Rosemary, her primary caregiver and friend for leaving us with this heartfelt quote. May our beautiful angel rest in peace.
elevated jBY44 Funeral service will be held at Holy Cross (211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill) on Tuesday April 19th, 2022 at 1:30 pm followed by burial and reception. We ask that any donations made in Bozena’s memory be directed to the Palliative Care wing of Mackenzie Health Hospital (https://supportmackenziehealth.ca).
