Marija was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She left us suddenly on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at the age of 78.
She was born to Jakov and Giza Kokic on January 24th, 1942 in Subotica where she lived with parents and sister Ana. In her youth, Marija was a skilled athlete running and winning races, without any training. She loved to sing and had a lovely voice. Her passion for dance also had her competing and she eventually danced her way into the heart of her husband Stevan, and the love of her life.
Together with her husband she raised their children, Sasha and Vesna in Subotica. Before they immigrated to Canada, Marija worked in accounting by day and helped run their family orchard that had 250 trees, a mix of apples, peaches, plums and walnuts. They also had 50 sheep running around and eventually a couple of racehorses. She was grandmother to Nikola, Alexandar and Daniel and mother-in-law to Bora and Laura. Her grandchildren were the light of her life and she has filled them with their own personal loving memories. Becoming a Canadian citizen brought Marija joy and excitement. She embraced Canada and Canada loved her back. Her extended family in Subotica, Guelph, and Toronto kept her close in their hearts.
Marija loved to bake and those reading this know her culinary skills were hard to say no to. After presenting a table with a banquet of cakes she would say “have more, its light”. And we did. Oh, we did.
Marija will not be far from us. With every catchy tune, colourful bouquets or happy event in her family and friends’ home, she will be present.
A private family interment will be held at Spring Creek Cemetery. For those who wish, donations in memory of Marija can be made to The Burlington Salvation Army where Maija volunteered and of course, baked for the community.