Nada Kokan

It is with heartful sadness to announce the passing of our dearest Nada who died peacefully at her home with family at her side at the age of 89 after a valiant eight-year battle with Lewy body dementia.

Predeceased by her husband Petar (2022), she leaves behind her children Jane, Matthew (Marnie), Peter (Michelle), Danny (Melisa) and grandchildren Daniel (Rebekah), Julia, Owen, Thomas, Faye, Steven, Ethan and Natalia.

Nada, nee Radisic, was born on the Island of Vis, Croatia (Former Yugoslavia) and at the age of six she lost her eldest sibling (brother) Ante (12 years her senior) who was killed in battle at the beginning of WWII. This was a devastating loss to Nada and her family, not to mention the two years of enemy occupation that was to follow prior to being liberated and what ultimately became part of Yugoslavia. Fortunately for Nada she had another sibling (brother) Andro (six years her senior) whom was a very positive life force throughout her life, especially during her early years.

Nada was very proud of her Croatian heritage and especially the Island Vis. As children we were blessed to have our parents take us to Vis every summer and introduce us to a different culture, learn a new language, meet new people, and some of whom became lifelong friends. After high school we continued to visit Vis during the summers on our own, but one thing was certain was that Nada had the house all situated for us upon arrival including a well stocked fridge and a freshly made meal. In 1991, the war broke out in Croatia while Nada's mother Domina was still alive but fortunately for Nada she was still able to travel to her homeland in 1992, and 1993, to care for her mother while the war was still going on.

Nada (and Petar) were very proud of their Croatian heritage and their new country. Canada Day was always very special to Nada and Petar in that it was on Canada Day (1961) that they first set foot in their new land. How fortunate it for Nada to see a familiar face waiting for her at the train station in Vancouver (July 1, 1961) that being her very dear cousin Antica whom she shared many fond memories with (including the rest of the Brajcich family) over the decades later. Antica and her family members were regulars on Nada's daily call list along with her lifelong and best friend Lenka whom she grew up with on Vis and spent the past 60 years in Vancouver.

Nada was a true fighter and despite the courage and resilience of a warrior, battling the debilitating disease of Lewy body dementia over the past eight years was ultimately too much. For that the family would like to thank the extraordinary team of physicians and nurses from Vancouver Coastal Health who diligently attended to her medical needs.

There will be a celebration of life on Thursday, January 9, at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Croatian Parish 3105 East 1st Avenue, Vancouver, B.C.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health at the University of British Columbia, which Nada attended over the past years.

https://www.centreforbrainhealth.ca/ways-to-give/