BAUMGARTNER, Iola Ann - Iola Ann Baumgartner passed away peacefully at the age of 79, on August 6th, 2020 at Princess Margaret Hospital with her husband and daughter by her side.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 54 years, Norbert, loving daughter Nikki (Andy) and grandsons Riley and David.
She will be missed by extended family and many friends in Canada, England, Europe and USA.
Iola was born in Trevor, Wales on December 12th, 1940, youngest of 3 children. After the war, her family moved back to England and she was raised and schooled in Birmingham. In 1964, she travelled to Canada with friends by steamer, arriving in Montreal. After a brief stay in Montreal she made the journey to Vancouver by CP Rail. Soon after she met the love of her life, Norbert. They spent a few years in Vancouver where their daughter, Nikki, was born, and then moved to Ontario.
Iola held many different positions in her working life, SRA (IBM), Shulton and Revlon working in the EDI field. Near the end of her career, she chose to do consulting work, allowing her to enjoy more travel.
Iola had a passion for travel, activities, friendships and family. Iola and Norbert enjoyed many adventures together traveling by plane, train, boat, car and with some of their most memorable trips together by canoe. Iola became an active member in the Balmy Beach Club competing in the paddling section, joining the ladies squash section at the outset and competing in the Toronto Squash Ladies league. Later she added running to her sports and completed the Toronto Marathon and many half marathons.
Iola loved living in the Beaches, where over 45 years, she developed many long lasting friendships. She was also a community advocate always willing to help out. She volunteered for organizations such as Achilles and Wellspring as well as canvassing for Cancer support.
Iola held her family close, spending as much time as she could with her daughter and her family out West. Making as many as 4 visits a year, the joke was that a visit could not end until the date of the next was set. Her grandsons were her treasures and she was proud to be their Gramma. With the exception of a couple of times, due to treatments, Gramma was there for every one of her grandsons’ birthdays in May and October.
Iola was known for her giving nature, strength of character, optimism and energy. Iola was quick to offer a helpful hand and thoughtful word. Iola was diagnosed and received treatment in 2007 for ovarian cancer and was fortunate to not have a reoccurrence until 2014. Unfortunately, after this, the cancer recurred more frequently. Iola balanced her fight with quality of life and she did so with great strength, optimism and determination. In the face of adversity, she loved life!
Using words from one of her close friends, “Iola, throughout her fight has been a beacon of strength, kindness and encouragement for all who have also battled life’s challenges."
Following Iola’s wishes, there will not be a service and there will be a commemorative tree planted in her honour. We are requesting the tree to be planted in the Beaches area or Ashbridges Bay. We welcome all to visit the tree and pause to reflect and remember Iola.
We would like to thank the staff at Princess Margaret Hospital for the wonderful care given to Iola. Donations in her name can be made to the PMH Gynaecology Unit or Palliative Care Unit. Arrangements with Giffen-Mack funeral home, 2570 Danforth Ave., Toronto.
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