Aleksandra Tomaszewski

Aleksandra Tomaszewski (nee Gordina) passed away July 2 while the clouds of a thunderstorm parted and the sun came out and shone down on her one last time.

Shura, to her friends, Mom/Mama or Babuszka to family, was so generous with her love for her family.

In her 97 years she was certified as a teacher in Russia before being taken to Germany as a prisoner of war. After World War 2 she met her husband Adolph, and they immigrated to Canada, working tirelessly at their Broadview Avenue restaurant Riverdale Lunch while raising their three children: George (Pattie), Irene (Ed Hogendoorn) and Tim (Victoria).

Ever independent, Aleksandra loved to garden, travel (with a preference to hot, sunny beaches or back to Russia), and was an active member of the Federation of Russian Canadians.

Over her 97 years she proved to be a survivor: the war, cancer, beating Covid, but always looked on the bright side; when the sun was shining, she was at her happiest.

Aleksandra will be missed tremendously by her children, their spouses and her grandchildren  (Natasha, Kimberly, Adrian, Alexander and TJ).

The family also wish to say a special thank you to the staff at Eatonville Care Centre who treated Aleksandra with love, respect and dignity.