CLARA TOTH (NEE KOVACS) 1918-2019
We are deeply saddened to announce that Clara Margaret Elizabeth Toth, nee Kovacs, passed away at home in Newmarket on January 9, 2019 in her 101st year. Mourning her are her children Kathy (Richard Kumpula) of Newmarket, Susan (Charles West) of Pincher Creek, Alberta and Tom (Sandra Barron) of Brock Township. She will be sadly missed by her grandchildren Ilona Kumpula (Spencer Robinson), Julia Kumpula (John Harmsen), Stephen West, Charlotte West (Brett Campbell), Thomas West (Nicole Christensen), Peter West, Jessica Toth, Nicholas Toth, Andrea Toth, Mathew Toth, Mitchell Toth, Wesley Toth, Madeline Toth and Katie Toth, her great granddaughter MacKenzie Harmsen and nieces and nephews in Hungary and Switzerland. She is predeceased by her husband Laszlo Toth (2008) and her brother Miklos Kovacs (2010).
Born in Felsoviso in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the daughter of Kovacs Theodor and Spanyol Edit, Clara was a graduate of the Hungarian University of Arts and Design in Budapest. Before World War II, she lived at various times in Budapest, Berlin, Vienna and, in her early years, in Meran, Italy.
Clara and Laszlo were married in 1949 and came to Canada as refugees. They were very appreciative of the warm welcome by the Durksen family who have remained life-long friends. Since 1953 they have lived in Newmarket where Clara played a major role in the development of their award-winning Carlissa Jersey herd. They were well-known and respected members of the Canadian Jersey Cattle Club. In addition, Clara took great pride in her gardens and supplied her family with fresh produce and preserves. In spring and summer there were always beautiful fresh-cut flowers in the home. She welcomed family and friends into her home and was the consummate hostess. Clara enjoyed many international trips during her lifetime. In the past two years alone, she traveled to Hungary to celebrate her 99th birthday and visited Costa Rica and Sanibel Island, Florida. She was an indomitable woman with a courageous spirit and a keen mind. Fluent in three languages and a true wordsmith, she was hard to beat at Scrabble! Keeping on top of world news was another of her passions. Clara will be forever missed and cherished.
Friends are invited to join the family in remembering Clara on Monday, May 27, 2019 at Madsen's Greenhouse, 160 Bayview Parkway (north of Davis Drive) in Newmarket from 2 to 5 pm. Cremation has taken place. Flowers and donations are gratefully declined.