Irene was born on January 21, 1938, in Opalyi, Hungary to Anna (née Pakh) and Janos Csicsak. Her brother Janos passed away as a baby, and she grew up with her beloved sisters Magdika and Marika.
At 18, she married the love of her life, Laszlo Taksas, sharing 39 devoted years until his passing in 1990.
Irene’s early life was shaped by profound historical events. After experiencing the war as child, an oppressive communist regime and the turmoil of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, she and Laszlo immigrated to Canada in 1965 with their children Zita and Joe. They arrived with courage, determination and hope to build a new life here. They lived in communities across Alberta, and later in Saskatoon. In the early 2000s, Irene settled in Oakville to help out her daughter’s family.
A gifted baker, gardener, artist, and lifelong learner, Irene lived with passion, independence, and resilience. She was articulate, sharp, and deeply faithful, grounding every chapter of her life in trust and devotion to God. Later in life, she discovered joy in painting and earned recognition for her artistic talent.
She will be remembered for her fearless spirit, her bold heart, and her immense capacity to love. Her journey—from war-torn Hungary to freedom in Canada—remains a powerful testament to courage and hope. In recent years, her greatest joy came from welcoming her great-grandchildren into the family she worked so hard to protect and nurture.
She leaves behind her daughter Zita (Robert) and their children:
• Amanda (Jordan) and their son Winston
• Vito (Mirna)
• Anna and Angela
She also leaves her son Joe (Darlene) and their daughters:
• Alyssa (Geoff) and their daughter Adley
• Chantelle (Adam) and their son Brayden
Irene’s life was a legacy of love, sacrifice, faith, and freedom. The life she built—rooted in safety, opportunity, and family—was her greatest accomplishment. She will be deeply missed, remembered with love, and forever cherished.
As her wish she was cremated and will be placed in her final resting place with her husband Laszlo in his columbarium in Saskatoon. The Celebration of Life Service in Oakville will be held on Friday at 1 pm at Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home at 64 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville.
To send a flower arrangement in memory of Irene Taksas, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
