Vera Stanko

STANKO, Vera – Sadly, on December 18, 2016, Vera, in the 94th year of her beautiful life, passed away with loving daughter Tamara, daughter-in-law Xenie and "daughter" Francine by her side. In her final days, following a severe stroke, Vera was surrounded by all those who loved her so deeply including sons Andrew and Orest, daughter-in-law Sylvia and her special "martini buddy" Karen Kurdyak. Despite outliving all of her peers, Vera will be missed by so many other friends and neighbours who had the privilege of getting to know her. Mom's legacy will be her boundless generosity and kindness. Vera was a very special woman. She and her husband Jaroslaw survived the Second World War and emigrated from Europe to Canada in 1949, first to Edmonton and then Toronto, where together as new Canadians they overcame typical hardships to establish roots and raise a family. We are profoundly grateful to our mother and father. They taught us to be courteous, respectful and appreciative of the life we have in this wonderful country. Mom was especially grateful for Tamara's companionship and love. Tamara cared for our mother on a daily basis and was her dearest friend. Vera was a sports junkie and especially with respect to tennis which she would watch on a daily basis. The Blue Jays, Raptors and the Leafs have lost a devout albeit highly critical supporter. A special thank you to Community Care Nurse Menardo who gently tended to her weekly for more than four years. We are also grateful to the staff at the Toronto Western Hospital for their extraordinary care and especially for their sensitivity and empathy in her last days.