MARUSICH, Thea Giorgia

Died peacefully, surrounded by her family, at 11:15 pm, Saturday, February 9, 2019. We were blessed to have celebrated her 87th birthday this year. Thea is survived by her daughter Nadia Toman (Peter) of Australia, and her son Sasha. She was the loving and very proud "Noni" of Georgina Day, Anthony Day (Stephanie), Nicholas Day and Rowan Bell-Marusich (Matt). Her two great grandsons, Jasper and Beckett, always delighted her and filled her heart with love and joy. She was predeceased by her father, Anteo Covan, her mother, Albina Crulcich, and her sister, Bianca Pasco; all of Italy. She will be dearly missed by nieces and nephews and extended family in Canada, cousins in Argentina, and extended family in Italy and Slovenia.

Thea was born in Rozzo, Istria, January 25, 1932, and was raised mainly by her grandmother and aunt. It was in Trieste, Italy that she met Rado (Frank), and the rest was a beautiful love story. She was unable to immigrate to Canada when Rado did, and waited four years before she could join him in Hamilton, Ontario. Those years were ones of longing to be with each other, letters of love the only means of communication between them. She left her family in Italy and travelled across the ocean to be reunited with Rado, and they were married on July 13, 1957.

It is an ironic twist of fate that saw the same pattern emerge at the end of her life. Rado
passed in December of 2013 and Thea had to wait five long and lonely years before she could
be reunited with her love. She is finally at peace once more.

Thea's calm, grace, strength, strong sense of family value, and stubbornness, made the perfect foil for Rado's outgoing and gregarious nature. She was his partner in life and in business. Her love, steadfastness and support gave us all the strength to carry on in times of trouble or distress. She was always ready to listen, with an empathy and a compassion that touched any who came to know her. Her quiet sense of humour, her understanding of human nature, and her love for her family radiated from her, and comforted all of us.

We would like to thank Dr. Wendy Graham for her attentive and compassionate care of Thea, especially in her final few weeks; the staff at the Empire for their unfailing support and care (especially her two angels); the CCAC; Cindy, Kim and Penny of Preferred Care; Drs Harmon and Edie at the North Bay General Hospital; the staff at D3, who treated Thea with respect, dignity and compassion to the end; and finally to Rev. Rex Lumine and Rev. Mr. Al Falconi.

Friends may call at the Martyn Funeral Home on Saturday, February 16th, from 2:00-5:00pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Gregory the Great Church in Hamilton, on Tuesday, February 19 at 11:00 a.m. The burial of ashes will take place at the Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Burlington, this summer (at a date yet to be determined). If desired, donations to the Regional Catholic Charities Food Bank (North Bay Food Bank) would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.

"In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity."
Kahlil Gibran