Elisa Kobzar
elevated JwShD November 22, 1926 – December 4, 2021
elevated JwShD Obituary
elevated JwShD KOBZAR, Elisa Maria Antonietta (nee Guatieri), passed away December 4, 2021 in her 95th year surrounded by family. Born November 22, 1926 in Flavetto, frazione di Rovito, Provincia di Cosenza, Italy. Devoted wife of Alexander (deceased 2015), dearest mother of Elaine and Dino Gaudio, Michael and Gail Kobzar, and Peter Kobzar. Beloved nonna of Stephanie and Jeremy Gogan, Nicholas and Brittnei Gaudio, Christina Kobzar and Morgan Moffatt, Christian Kobzar, Amelia Kobzar and Paige Kobzar. Bisnonna to Olivia Gogan, Hudson Gaudio and Elori Elisa Gaudio.
elevated JwShD Elisa emigrated to Canada in 1949 with her mother and siblings as part of the post-war migration via Ellis Island to a new life in Welland, Ontario. She met Alex through a mutual friend and married on October 19th, 1959, moving to Alex’s home on Bristol Avenue in Toronto. Elisa quickly became a valued member of the community, raising her children, volunteering at their school, participating in events at the neighbourhood parish, and welcoming everyone and anyone into her home. An intelligent woman who like many others was a stay at home mom; she kept her mind sharp by becoming an adventurous cook and an avid gardener. There was many a morning when the children would come down for breakfast and the kitchen table was laden with fresh vegetables and fruit picked in the early hours. The kitchen was her domain and many Sundays were spent entertaining family and friends.
elevated JwShD Mom lived a long and comfortable life until dementia began to steal away the sparkle in her eye and her inquisitive mind. She quietly slipped away peacefully secure in the knowledge that she was greatly loved by her family and that her legacy lives on in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Rest in Peace Mom, you have done your part.
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elevated JwShD Visitation
Tuesday December 7, 2021 from 9:30am to 10:30am
elevated JwShD Due to Covid-19 capacity restrictions, friends may have to wait to pay their respects during the visitation period. We are inviting family and friends to a walk-through visitation only to pay their respects, offer condolences and then kindly exit the building to allow for others to enter.
elevated JwShD Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, ON, L3T 3Z6
elevated JwShD Private Funeral Mass
A Private Funeral Mass will be held in the Chapel of St. Joseph within the Funeral Home on Tuesday December 7, 2021 at 10:30am. If you wish to view the Mass, please Click here to View Service
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elevated JwShD In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s society in Elisa’s honour.
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My thoughts and prayers go out to all the family. I will always remember Elisa, especially when she first came to Canada with you mother and siblings. She was always so kind and loving to me. I will never forget her. Much love, cousin Sylvia/
Nonna, The last time I saw you – when you were awake – it was late summer and I took you outside in your wheelchair and even though you couldn’t really communicate – you smiled at me and held my hand, closed your eyes as a breeze swept across your face.
At that moment you reminded me of a child enjoying the small pleasures in life – maybe when you get older you start to really appreciate the things in life that we all take for granted.
Every smile, every breeze, every ray of sunshine streaming through the window, every visit from a loved one – back to square one. Enjoying the little things in life are truly underrated.
To simply die of old age is truly a success – to live a life full of love, culture, family – I hope filled you to the brim.
I am forever grateful that I have had an Nonna – everyone wants a Nonna – I swear the best stories are about Nonna’s – whether it’s her offside comments, her delicious cooking, her interactions with strangers, or how she watches endless hours of cooking shows and infomercials– all stories about Nonna’s are golden.
Nonna gave me culture – living in a country like Canada with such little culture she gave me the culture that I have always craved.
The Italian card games, Italian music in the kitchen while cooking, the pan sheet full of pizza, the fried cauliflower she dubbed “funny faces“, “Christina’s Polpette” and the way she could not except the fact that I could be vegetarian despite her wonderful Italian cooking. That’s culture.
Whenever I told someone about my Nona their eyes would widen and say “Gosh I wish I had a Nonna”.
When you have a Nona I swear you feel like you’re better than everyone else – because if there’s one thing that Nona taught me, it was entitlement – take up space – make yourself known.
For example, you want a rosary from a church? Okay take it – give it to your loved ones -Or force your nurse to steal extra cookies because your granddaughter is coming to visit you.
For someone who doesn’t like to take up much space this was the best lesson you could’ve shown me – be unapologetically you.
I love you Nonna and I know that I now have an Italian Nonna guardian angel watching over me – which again makes me feel superior.
I love you forever.
Xoxoxox
Christina
We are truly sorry for your loss. Elisa was such a wonderful person – she was kind, caring, and very giving. We will always remember our visits and her delicious meals. She was always so welcoming! Elisa will truly be missed! Our condolences to the family.
Love, Concetta Bevacqua and Family