Stephanie passed away with her family by her side on October 30, 2021 in Victoria, BC at the young age of 98 years, having valiantly tried to make her 100th.
Predeceased in 2000 by Walter, her husband of 50 years, Stephanie will be forever missed by her children Tillie (Ron), Richard (Nicola) and Brian (Ning) and her grandchildren Zach, Brittany and Jade and her great-grandson, Harrison.
Our remarkable mother was born in Poland and was a survivor of WWII. She met Walter in the chaos of post-war Europe and together they found their way to Canada, first to Alberta and then happily retiring to Victoria in 1990. Despite having been taken from her family at a young age, Stephanie created a home filled with love, laughter and warmth. There was always a place at the table for an extra hungry soul and Christmas inevitably found someone joining who would otherwise have been alone.
She and Walter loved travelling, especially to visit their children who had wandered far from home to New York and Hawaii. She delighted in being able to travel to Thailand at the age of 88 to see her son get married. Stephanie was fiercely independent and she was proud to have lived on her own until 93 where she continued to be a passionate gardener with a yard filled with cherry, apple and fig trees and endless fruits. Her tomatoes were legendary as was her cherry pie and raspberry jam.
A private celebration of Stephanie’s life was held at the Royal Oak Burial Park where she joined her beloved husband.
She will be desperately missed and leaves a void in all our lives. The family is eternally grateful to the wonderful staff at the Summit, in particular those in Eagle House who so compassionately cared for Stephanie, especially during her last days.
For those who wish, donations in Stephanie’s honour can be made to the Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation in support of their services to seniors at www.gvef.org
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Dennis Chmilar
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Guy Gable Wow! WWII survivor, followed by 50 years happily married, followed by 21 years a widow. An incredible life I knew little about other than the several year window during high-school with Rick, when I was made so welcome by Mrs Szuster (always Mrs Szuster) and Walter. The Szuster home was a refuge. Beyond the Szuster home, Mrs Szuster greased-the-way for Rick and I to work at the General Hospital through high school (Walter later greased the way with Ogilvie’s) thankfully keeping me off the streets during those wanton years. She engendered in Rick (and Tillie and Brian) the confidence to have higher aspirations and to roam the world, which I saw and tried to emulate (me being the only one of nine siblings to gain a University degree; my brothers and sisters didn’t know Mrs Szuster). My sincere gratitude Mrs Szuster for your kindness and tolerance and unquestioning welcome. I am personally deeply in your debt, and the world is assuredly a better place from your loving influence. Guy
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Jean Addison With fond memories of a remarkable woman; we feel fortunate to have known Stephanie and listened to her talk about her life in Europe and in a Canada She loved her garden and all the produce she grew was used in delicious meals. Her cherry tree was one of her favourite things,
We will always remember her with fondness and love.
Jean and Richard
So sorry to hear of the passing of Stephanie. She always greeted me with a smile and great friendliness. Always missed her Sunday steak dinners. It was an honor and pleasure to know her. My condolences to the family.