ZELINKA, Alena Jarmila Zelinka - Passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
She was the beloved wife of the late Jaroslav; cherished mother of the late Alena Renata; dear mother-in-law of Peter; and loving grandmother of Alena Alexandra.
Alena was born in Prague on August 20, 1928, to Alžbeta Marková and Jan Marek.
She excelled in Czech, French, Latin, and Russian studies in high school, and obtained a university degree in economics in 1951. In 1955, Alena married Jaroslav and welcomed one daughter soon after.
In 1968, they immigrated to Toronto, Canada, where Alena worked for the Ministry of Health as an economist.
Even after leaving Europe, Alena kept in touch with family and friends overseas and cherished their letters and long phone calls.
She was an excellent listener and sounding board and was the go-to person for advice. Every weekend, she taught us to cook and bake traditional Czech foods using sacred family recipes.
These foods still form the basis of many meals we enjoy today. Lastly, Alena loved to travel and, together with family and friends, she explored Europe, the US, the Caribbean, Australia, and New Zealand, and meticulously documented her adventures.
We will miss her love, confidence, wisdom, thoughtfulness, and strength. Service and memorial will be held on January 27, 2024, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m., at the A.W. Miles-Newbigging Chapel of the Humphrey Funeral Home, 1403 Bayview Ave. in Toronto.
If desired, donations may be made in her memory to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
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