Maria (nee Fatur) Jenko

In Loving Memory

JENKO, Maria (nee Fatur)

April 27, 1929 – June 7, 2024

She was strong, courageous, resilient and full of grit.  Maria passed away peacefully in her sleep having just celebrated her 95^th birthday.  Predeceased by her dear husband of 61 years, Miroslav (Fred) and her brothers Ivan and Valentino and sisters Frances and Ivanka.  Loving mother of Marion Horner (Peter) of Guelph, Jenny Wood (Douglas) of Brampton, and son Edward (Carolyn) of Florida.   Proud Grandma to Erik (Erin), Simon, Mark (Hilary), Katie (Clayton), Sandra (Jon), Shannon (Carlos), Julia and Kevin.   Great-grandmother to Evelyn, Nora and Margot and aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Maria was born in Zagorje na Pivki, Slovenia. Growing up very poor and under Italian occupation, she and her cousin Frances, bravely left home and emigrated to Canada in 1949 in search of a better life.  Mom met Dad, a fellow countryman, on the front steps of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brampton, married and together raised their family of three.  They worked hard and sacrificed to provide us with a wonderful, supportive home.  They loved to travel and made many visits back home to Slovenia as well as Argentina where Mom’s brother and family lived and Australia to visit with her sister and family.  Mom was ahead of her time with the three “R’s” – repairing, reusing and recycling before it became the norm.  She carefully preserved and canned fruit and vegetables from our garden and baked the best potica and flancati, Slovenian favourites. And no meal would be complete without Mom’s delicious homemade soups.  Mom loved to knit and crochet and created many beautiful bedspreads that her grandchildren cherish.  Family was most important to Mom and she attended as many soccer, baseball and hockey games as she could. She was very proud of all 8 grandkids and thrilled with their successes in education and careers. Mom was a devout Catholic and drew much strength from her faith. 

Maria will be missed by her dear friends Marta, Amelia and Stephanie and by many loving relatives, neighbours and friends.

The family would like to extend our sincerest thanks and appreciation to the 3^rd floor staff at Amica Peel Village for their kindness, care and support of Mom over the last three years.   

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society or St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Brampton would be appreciated.