BENJAMINA GATAVECKAS

GATAVECKAS, BENJAMINA March 21, 1930 - September 2, 2017 It is with heartfelt sadness that the family of Benjamina Gataveckas (nee Jonusas) announces her peaceful passing on Saturday, September 2, 2017 at the age of 87. Bena will always be remembered by everyone she touched with her kindness, faith, determination, warmth and happy spirit. Born in Klaipeda, Lithuania, on March 21, 1930, Bena escaped to freedom in Canada after WWII. As proud members of the Toronto Lithuanian community, Bena and her late husband Vaitiekus raised their sons Frank, Arunas (Adele), Edmund (Heather) and Vytas (Tina). Bena was fortunate to have her parents Marcele (nee Zelvaite) and Pranas Jonusas emigrate from Lithuania and live with her in Canada for many years. Bena was predeceased by her sister, Adele Abromaitis and is survived by her oldest sister, Ona Jonusaite (Sister Loreta), age 96. Bena will be lovingly missed by her grandchildren, Andrew, Kristin, Lukas (Amy), Katrina (Sean), Noah (Amanda), Brittany (Tim) and her great-grandson Malcolm. Bena worked for many years in childcare and at Connaught Laboratories. Bena retired to a life that she loved being surrounded by nature, friends and family in Toronto and Wasaga Beach. Reading, writing and cooking were things she loved to do, but Bena will be best remembered for her long leisurely walks and riding her bicycle (well into her 80s) to watch the beauty of a Wasaga sunset. Laisve! A visitation honouring Benjamina Gataveckas will take place at the Turner and Porter Yorke Chapel at 2357 Bloor Street West, Toronto ON, M6S 1P4 on Sunday, September 10th from 4 - 7 p.m. This includes a short service at 6 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at Resurrection Parish, 1 Resurrection Rd., Toronto, ON, M9A 5G1. Reception to follow. Donations may be made to the Labdara Lithuanian Nursing Home, 5 Resurrection Rd., Toronto, Ontario M9A 5G1