KALNINS, Mirdza Margaret “Omi”
Passed away peacefully on September 28, 2015 at Joseph Brant Hospital, Burlington in her 99th year. Beloved mother of George (Patricia) and Peter. Much loved and cherished Omi to her grandchildren Robert (Melanie Sellar) in San Jose, CA, Jennifer (Michael Temple) in Costa Mesa, CA, and Ted (Jennifer Howard) in Toronto and to her three great-grandchildren Skye, Owen, and Finnegan. She is also survived by her nieces Sylvia Cook and Linda Hart as well as family in Latvia. She was predeceased by her husband Karl (1975), her sisters Ilga and Austra, and her brother Gunars. Though born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, as a child she moved with her family back to their Latvian homeland where she eventually attended the University of Riga, married Karl and became a mother to Juris (George). In 1944, during the Russian occupation of Latvia, the family made the decision to leave their beloved Latvia and fled to Germany. In Würzburg, they lived with other Latvian refugees in accommodations built for the Latvian people under the direction of her husband, an accomplished civil engineer. In 1948, Mirdza, Karl and George emigrated to St. Catharines to join up with other family members who had come to Canada. After the birth of her son, Peter, who was diagnosed as developmentally disabled, Mirdza devoted herself to his care at home. Mirdza often expressed that some of her best memories were of helping to care for her grandchildren during their formative years. She will always be remembered for her devotion to her family and for her strength and singlehanded commitment to Peter’s upbringing. Visitation at SMITH’S FUNERAL HOME, 1167 Guelph Line (one stoplight north of QEW), BURLINGTON (905-632-3333), on Thursday, October 1, 2015 from 3-5 and 7-9 PM, where a Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel on Friday, October 2, 2015 at 10:30 AM. A private interment will follow. Online condolences can be made at www.smithsfh.com