Obituary for Sophie Tonita (Lucan)
Sophie Tonita (nee Lucan)
Our Sophie has left us. Loving wife of Petra (Pete) Tonita (deceased); patient mother to her four boys and their wives Bryan (Lynne), Bradley (Sheila), Boyd (Debbie), Bruce John (Suzanne). She was the most wonderful Bunica to Cody, Bradley (deceased), Colt, Georgia and Tyler.
Sophie ever the prairie girl was born on the family farm near Flintoft, Saskatchewan on the north side of 12 Mile Lake November 18,1932. She was the second child of Nick Lucan (born in Austro-Hungary) and the ninth child of Safta (born in Romania). Sophie was half sister in name only to Mary 106 years young and born in 1912, Helen 1913-2005, John 1915-2002, Constance 1918-1920, Annie 1919-2005, Fannie 1921-1988 and Virginia a youthful 95 born in 1923. Nick and Safta’s first child George died shortly after birth. Date unknown.
She has born into the Great Depression, and like the people of that time, the hardship only tempered her determination. Hers was a strength we no longer see today. Love of her family, she was our center.
As a young woman Sophie was a fierce sportswoman playing hockey and baseball. Always competitive, she would race her horse against anyone who would dare to take the challenge. Endless hours of working in the fields and chores made the weekend dances even sweeter.
As a child and then a young woman she worked beside her father, mother and sister Virginia on the farm. She could handle a team of horses better than most men. Sophie could back up her team and wagon as well as drive them. Latter she drove tractor, an open cab in those days and a face full of dust.
Marrying Pete in 1950, they worked side by side in the oil patch in southern Saskatchewan. Pete drove one truck and she the other delivering water to the drilling rig with baby Bryan on the seat beside her. Home was a skid shack beside the rig but to hear her tell it they lived in a mansion. When the work moved to Alberta so did the growing family which now included Bradley and Boyd. First living in Calgary and then moving to an acreage east of town when Bruce came along. As Pete would say ”boys did best growing up in the country where there was room”. Sophie and Pete were also busy within the growing Romanian community in Calgary being founding members of Saint Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church in 1969.
Sophie's and Pete’s country estate was just ten acres, but you would think they were farming. The garden grew so large, that soon they were selling potatoes and other produce to friends from town. Next came a chicken coop, followed by a steady stream of city folk to pick up eggs. Next a small barn, and yes milk cows which added fresh cream to farm gate sales before there was such a thing. Even though Pete was away in the patch Sophie ran a tight ship and with her boys help things got done.
With Pete’s passing in 1984 and the three oldest boys on their own life’s journey Sophie stayed on the acreage with Bruce until 1989. Moving into Calgary (Millrise) she soon had the back yard turned into a vegetable garden with what little space left over into flower beds. What came out of the garden was canned with the excess given to family and neighbors. Sophie made her own sauerkraut, dried spices and herbs. She had a cold room in the basement full of her canning and dry goods. At one time Sophie ran four deep freezes now down to three which are still full of baking, cabbage rolls and other delicious home-made treats. She was always prepared just in case company decide to stay for dinner.
As this was not enough to keep her busy, she took on work cleaning offices at night for Union Oil, worked for Canadian Immigration Services as an interpreter for immigrating Romanians, a store detective and when needed pitched in a helping hand to family and friends with their own business.
With grandchildren she was even busier. There were pants to mend, weekend meals with the family to prepare for, babysitting and sleepovers. Not just for her own grandchildren, but also for the children of her neighbors. She was Bunica to everyone. All were welcome around Sophie's table and it was rare you made it out the door without being fed or left with some baking.
The years slowed Sophie down but never stopped her. She did her own spring and fall cleaning and was cleaning windows on the day she was hospitalized.
Sophie's hands are idle now. Our memories of her are strong. The stories she told that delighted us will pass from one to another. Our kitchens will never be lonely because she will always be right here beside us showing what it takes to make it just right.
Sophie, a true daughter of the prairie.
The family would like to thank the caring staff, nurses and Doctors of South Health Campus General Hospital. We are forever grateful for the affectionate and tender care provided by Sarah and Hellen, her Palliative Care team and the amazing help provided by the Home Health Care Ladies.
We are also thankful for Teresa Jones and her compassionate staff at Choice Memorial Cremation and Funeral Services for looking after our Sophie for us.
Funeral Services to be held Friday, December 28, 2018 at 11:00 AM, Saint Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church. 3511 3rd Avenue SW Calgary, AB. Father Lucian Constantin officiating.
Internment to follow at Mountain View Memorial Gardens in the Everlasting Life Garden. 1515 – 100 Street SE off 17th Avenue East.
All are invited to join the family for a luncheon in celebration of Sophie's amazing life at the home of Brad and Sheila Tonita 8551 Addison Place SE Calgary Alberta.
Our Sophie has left us. Loving wife of Petra (Pete) Tonita (deceased); patient mother to her four boys and their wives Bryan (Lynne), Bradley (Sheila), Boyd (Debbie), Bruce John (Suzanne). She was the most wonderful Bunica to Cody, Bradley (deceased), Colt, Georgia and Tyler.
Sophie ever the prairie girl was born on the family farm near Flintoft, Saskatchewan on the north side of 12 Mile Lake November 18,1932. She was the second child of Nick Lucan (born in Austro-Hungary) and the ninth child of Safta (born in Romania). Sophie was half sister in name only to Mary 106 years young and born in 1912, Helen 1913-2005, John 1915-2002, Constance 1918-1920, Annie 1919-2005, Fannie 1921-1988 and Virginia a youthful 95 born in 1923. Nick and Safta’s first child George died shortly after birth. Date unknown.
She has born into the Great Depression, and like the people of that time, the hardship only tempered her determination. Hers was a strength we no longer see today. Love of her family, she was our center.
As a young woman Sophie was a fierce sportswoman playing hockey and baseball. Always competitive, she would race her horse against anyone who would dare to take the challenge. Endless hours of working in the fields and chores made the weekend dances even sweeter.
As a child and then a young woman she worked beside her father, mother and sister Virginia on the farm. She could handle a team of horses better than most men. Sophie could back up her team and wagon as well as drive them. Latter she drove tractor, an open cab in those days and a face full of dust.
Marrying Pete in 1950, they worked side by side in the oil patch in southern Saskatchewan. Pete drove one truck and she the other delivering water to the drilling rig with baby Bryan on the seat beside her. Home was a skid shack beside the rig but to hear her tell it they lived in a mansion. When the work moved to Alberta so did the growing family which now included Bradley and Boyd. First living in Calgary and then moving to an acreage east of town when Bruce came along. As Pete would say ”boys did best growing up in the country where there was room”. Sophie and Pete were also busy within the growing Romanian community in Calgary being founding members of Saint Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church in 1969.
Sophie's and Pete’s country estate was just ten acres, but you would think they were farming. The garden grew so large, that soon they were selling potatoes and other produce to friends from town. Next came a chicken coop, followed by a steady stream of city folk to pick up eggs. Next a small barn, and yes milk cows which added fresh cream to farm gate sales before there was such a thing. Even though Pete was away in the patch Sophie ran a tight ship and with her boys help things got done.
With Pete’s passing in 1984 and the three oldest boys on their own life’s journey Sophie stayed on the acreage with Bruce until 1989. Moving into Calgary (Millrise) she soon had the back yard turned into a vegetable garden with what little space left over into flower beds. What came out of the garden was canned with the excess given to family and neighbors. Sophie made her own sauerkraut, dried spices and herbs. She had a cold room in the basement full of her canning and dry goods. At one time Sophie ran four deep freezes now down to three which are still full of baking, cabbage rolls and other delicious home-made treats. She was always prepared just in case company decide to stay for dinner.
As this was not enough to keep her busy, she took on work cleaning offices at night for Union Oil, worked for Canadian Immigration Services as an interpreter for immigrating Romanians, a store detective and when needed pitched in a helping hand to family and friends with their own business.
With grandchildren she was even busier. There were pants to mend, weekend meals with the family to prepare for, babysitting and sleepovers. Not just for her own grandchildren, but also for the children of her neighbors. She was Bunica to everyone. All were welcome around Sophie's table and it was rare you made it out the door without being fed or left with some baking.
The years slowed Sophie down but never stopped her. She did her own spring and fall cleaning and was cleaning windows on the day she was hospitalized.
Sophie's hands are idle now. Our memories of her are strong. The stories she told that delighted us will pass from one to another. Our kitchens will never be lonely because she will always be right here beside us showing what it takes to make it just right.
Sophie, a true daughter of the prairie.
The family would like to thank the caring staff, nurses and Doctors of South Health Campus General Hospital. We are forever grateful for the affectionate and tender care provided by Sarah and Hellen, her Palliative Care team and the amazing help provided by the Home Health Care Ladies.
We are also thankful for Teresa Jones and her compassionate staff at Choice Memorial Cremation and Funeral Services for looking after our Sophie for us.
Funeral Services to be held Friday, December 28, 2018 at 11:00 AM, Saint Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church. 3511 3rd Avenue SW Calgary, AB. Father Lucian Constantin officiating.
Internment to follow at Mountain View Memorial Gardens in the Everlasting Life Garden. 1515 – 100 Street SE off 17th Avenue East.
All are invited to join the family for a luncheon in celebration of Sophie's amazing life at the home of Brad and Sheila Tonita 8551 Addison Place SE Calgary Alberta.