Dear family and friends,
Ten years ago in March 2001 when I just arrived to Canada and was looking for a job, I showed up at the door of Boris’ and Nadica’s Toronto home but they were away. Few days later, Nadica invited me to visit them. She never met me before, only knew my name and that I worked for the same company in Croatia that Boris worked for. For many of us maybe not, but for Nadica a reason good enough to make a new friend. We talked as if we knew each other for years. As someone has phrased it in a famous movie, that was a beginning of a beautiful friendship. And now, fast forward ten years, I can hardly believe I am standing here and reminiscing about Nadica.
It just feels so wrong to be here today and speak on this occasion. It’s hard to get any sense of this sudden downturn and even harder to answer: why Nadica, why so soon?
She enriched our lives and my family and I will cherish those memories. Nadica was full of enthusiasm, restless, always busy and always onto something. She beamed with joy of life.
We loved how she expressed her creativeness. She enjoyed decorating her home. With a great sense for detail, Nadica made kitchen, living room, children room or backyard appear so personal and special.
She had a great passion for cooking and cooked whenever she could to ensure Boris, and especially Luka and Maja eat healthy home-made food. But Nadica also loved experimenting with new recipes, new ways of preparing traditional dishes and took great pride in that. When I told her not to bother cooking for our next visit as we would drop by only for a coffee and snacks, she responded: How would I not cook when I see how much you enjoy eating my food.
Nadica’s optimism was always there and she passed it on to us around her. We could rarely, if ever, see Nadica not in a good mood. She didn’t give up and kept her spirits high even when difficult times struck. Happy memories could go on and on. Nadica was a happy person and a true caring family friend. Marina and I will forever hold dear memory of Nadica.
May her soul rest in peace.
Thank you Zrinko, to you and your family for being there for us for these past 10 years. You and Marina are really great friends and Maja, Luka and I know we can count on you to support us in the years to come.
I know it was hard on you to deliver this eulogy for Nada, as you, like many others, were overwhelmed by emotions, but I thank you for your strength because your words made the celebration of Nada’s life even more special.
You were there to share my grief shortly after Nada stopped breathing on that sorrowful Monday afternoon. I cannot tell you much your presence there has meant to me. Thank you, my friend!