It is with great sadness that we announce that Brigitte Rolko passed away peacefully at the Senior’s Health Centre long term care facility in Toronto, Canada, on Tuesday October 13th, 2026. She was in her 90th year.
She was predeceased by her parents Josef and Maria (née Gabler) Sailer, her brother Otto Sailer, and her husband Leslie Szalatkay Rolko. She is survived by her two sons Michael (Edith) and Christopher (Barbara, and formerly Jane, d.2008). “Oma”, as she was known by her five grandchildren – Emily (Matthew), Andrew (Kristi), Sarah (Sam), Thomas (Brittany), and David (Caroline) – will be sorely missed by all. Oma was also blessed with two great grandchildren, Raphael and Jane. Nieces Alice and Ingrid in Austria, and Judit, Zsuzsanna, and Kati in Hungary will also cherish her memory.
Brigitte grew up in Vienna, Austria. Brigitte met the love of her life Leslie there in 1956. Leslie had escaped from Hungary at the end of the revolution. Leslie’s piano playing accompanying Brigitte’s lovely soprano voice helped spark a deep love. They were engaged in Vienna, and were married in Toronto in 1957.
Brigitte always had a bright outlook on life. Family was everything for her. If her sons were upset about something, she would tell them Morgen ist noch ein Tag. (Tomorrow is another day.) Music was always a source of great joy for her, both the classics, and any tune with a catchy rhythm. Earlier in life, she had trained as a coloratura soprano. She endured the last several years of her life with dignity and grace, and without complaint, through the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Brigitte was fluent in German and English, and gained proficiency in French and the exquisitely difficult Hungarian language. She collected embroidered linens, and produced culinary masterpieces in Austrian and Hungarian traditions. Always a fashionable dresser, she made her own dresses, and the occasional costume for herself or family members. Enjoying the outdoors was always something to brighten her day.
As a capable administrator, she worked at Volkswagen Canada skillfully negotiating the logistics of delivery of cars in Europe to Canadian travellers there.
By the grace of God, she passed away peacefully and quietly, knowing that her entire family on both sides of the ocean love her dearly.
Memorial Visitation will be held at Paul O’Connor Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 between 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
A Memorial Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Bonaventure Church on Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 10:30, followed by a reception in the parish hall, and finally, inurnment at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Toronto.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the North York General Hospital Foundation will be appreciated.
