Matilda (Tillie) Valerie Kirby, took her final bow on April 25, 2025 at age 103.

Tillie was predeceased by her husband James (Jim) Kirby, her son Allan, and her siblings and their spouses: Marion Kolpak (Harry), Josephine Glugosh (Joe), Margaret Suski (Stanley), Veronica (Vera) Kulbaski (Alex), Louis (Lou) Prawdzik (Shirley), Beatrice Harris (Jack), and Edmond (Eddie, aka Butch) Prawdzik.

Tillie is survived by her son Kerry (Nancy Eber), grandchildren, Kristi Hayes (Sean), Penny Kirby (Darwin Ramesar), Brennan Kirby (Manny Rodrigues), and Melanie Kirby (Josh Czerwinski), great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Tillie was born in Polonia, Manitoba. Her parents, Anthony (Tony) Prawdzik and Hedwig Prawdzik (nee Kwiat), both originally from Poland, settled in Polonia, briefly moved to New Britain, Connecticut, but returned to Polonia. That is where Tillie’s childhood memories were formed and where she performed in community plays that her father directed. While she bemoaned the fact that her father never gave her the romantic lead, she came to realize that he gave her far more important roles – those that made the audience laugh. Making people laugh was a role that Tillie took seriously for the rest of her life.

Tillie met Jim at a dance. Weeks after the dance, Tillie was going out on a date, when Jim showed up at her door. She chose to go out with Jim instead of her date and so began a romance that lasted until Jim’s death in 2020, on the date of their 73rd wedding anniversary. Tillie and Jim set an example for their family of a strong and happy marriage.

Tillie and Jim briefly lived in Winnipeg, Hamilton, and Thunder Bay. The family settled in the Oshawa and Whitby area. In their late eighties, Tillie and Jim briefly relocated to Etobicoke and, finally, to Simcoe, to be close to Kerry.

Together, Jim and Tillie built Snap Glass, a successful residential and commercial glass business that operated in Whitby for over 45 years.

Jim and Tillie traveled extensively for pleasure. They eventually bought a winter vacation home in Florida. There Tillie polished her golf game. Jim and Kerry had to admit that Tillie was the best golfer in the family. When Tillie was 80, she and Jim started to spend their winters in the Lake Chapala area of Mexico, where they built a new community of friends.

Wherever they lived, Tillie and Jim were welcoming, generous, and gracious hosts. They maintained a network of family and friends across Canada, and in the United States, and Mexico.

Tillie had a knack for languages. In addition to English, Tillie retained some Polish throughout her life. She learned to speak Spanish in her eighties. Music was Tillie’s fourth language. She regularly played her keyboard and one of her five harmonicas. Up until a month before her passing, Tillie would spontaneously pull her harmonica out of her pocket to entertain those around her. As a creative person, Tillie painted on canvass mostly, but not exclusively. She was known to sometimes paint the furniture, including the couch and tv, to achieve her decor vision. Tillie rarely went anywhere without her earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings. She loved pattern and colour.

Tillie’s sense of humour, sense of adventure, and love of a good party did not diminish did not diminish with age. She danced with Kerry on her 100th birthday and camped in a tent for two nights to attend the Great Lakes Gliding Club Annual Polish party. At age 101, she danced a jig at a Mother’s Day Party. At age 102, Tillie had to be convinced to stay in bed to rest a hip fracture.

Tillie moved into Norview Lodge Long Term Care in September 2024. There she found a new audience to entertain with her stories and music. She also found compassionate care, for which we are grateful.

If only due to age, Tillie’s passing was not unexpected. While we are sad, we are also grateful for her remarkably long and healthy life. She leaves us with her many stories, and the inspiration to sometimes be silly.

Cremation and interment have taken place. In lieu of flowers, we hope that you will laugh at something, or with someone, funny. Your laughter would please Tillie. If you want to make a donation, please consider a donation by cheque or money order to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 344 at 1395 Lake Shore Blvd West Toronto, ON M6K 3C1. Please mark your donation in memory of Matilda Kirby.

McEACHNIE FUNERAL HOME