Maria Kalucki
August 1925 - March 2019

KALUCKI, MARIA (nee NATLACEN) Peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the age of 93. Maria was the daughter of Francis and Frances Natlacen, the devoted wife of the late Maximilian Kalucki, dearest mom to Monica Simmie (Grant), Michael Kalucki (Bridget Hrabok) and Martha Weber (Gord) and grandma to Jessica (Zyed), Emily and Katherine. Family also mourns her in Slovenia, Poland and France. Maria fled her war-torn home in Yugoslavia, now Slovenia, for a better life in Canada. She arrived in Quebec City where she worked as nanny and housekeeper and learned French, then moved to Toronto where she met the love of her life, Max, at English classes. They shared a love of family and music, particularly opera, even though she was the first to admit she couldn't sing a note. Her greatest accomplishments, though, were found in the kitchen, whether it was turning out the best potica in the world according to her children or her wizardry with poultry. Maria believed in nose-to-tail eating before it was popularized by the culinary elite and could make a mountain of meals out of a chicken. Nothing was ever wasted in her home. The family extends its heartfelt thanks to mom's caregivers at Post Inn Village who treated Maria as if she was their own mother, particularly the nurses, PSWs and Life Enrichment Therapists who nurtured her on a daily basis. Friends are invited to call at the Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor St. W., at Windermere, east of the Jane Subway, on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at All Saints Roman Catholic Church, 1415 Royal York Rd., on Friday, March 8, 2019 at 10 a.m. Interment Assumption Cemetery. For those who wish, donations may be made to Alzheimer Society Ontario. Online condolences may be made through www.turnerporter.ca .

 
 
Maria at rest at the funeral home.

 
 
 
The cemetery.

Guests at the luncheon reception following the service, clockwise from bottom left: Jeannette Petitti, Melissa Gayle, Grant Simmie, Norah Biggs, Rob Rosati, Betty Rosati, Martha Weber, Gordon Weber (absent - behind the camera)

Clockwise from bottom left: Keith Stanton, Brent Reuter, Megan Reuter, Monica Simmie, Nuala Robinson, Marilyn Stanton (standing), Kim Wallace, Vic Pirc, Mark Reid, Jim Virtue, Drew Simmie, Renette Bourgeois

Clockwise from bottom left: Bridget Hrabok, Zeyd Bismilla, David Slingerland, Neil Simmie, Fraser Simmie, Ineke Brinkman, Jessica Kalucki, Michael Kalucki

Photographs from the past...

Maria's birthplace

Summer 1955

Maria and Monica circa 1955

Maria, Martha, Aunt Helen and Monica - Summer 1961

Summer 1964

Maria, Michael, Max, Monica and Martha - circa late 1960's

Maria and Martha with Michael's 3 daughters; Katherine, Emily and Jessica

Max and Maria on Max's 65th birthday

Maria visiting in Slovenia 2003

Maria's birthday with family in Slovenia 2003

Maria's birthday 2003

Maria's 90th birthday with Monica at Post Inn Village (long term care facility)

Maria's 92nd birthday

Maria's 93rd birthday

Maria enjoying her favourite beverage - coffee!