Elizabeth Csölle

March 22, 1930 – August 31, 2024

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we announce the passing of Elizabeth Csölle on August 31, 2024, at the wonderful age of 94.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children Esther (John, whom she thought of as a son, not a son-in-law), Peter and her great niece Nora. She was pre-deceased by her loving husband Paul in 2001.

Elizabeth was born in Magyaróvár, Hungary in 1930, as the only child of Béla and Mitzi Czinzer. The family soon moved to Sopron, where Elizabeth spent a happy childhood, even having her beloved baby fox as a pet. She attended the technical college in Sopron, studying pattern and clothing design.

However, life changed with the onset of World War II and then the subsequent occupation of Hungary by Russia. These events inspired many to leave Hungary for a brighter future elsewhere. Paul and Elizabeth were no exception.

In 1956, she and her new husband Paul, decided to emigrate to Canada for a better life and future for their family. They departed from Liverpool on the SS Empress of Britain arriving in St. John on December 17, 1956. Soon there after they settled in Toronto to begin their new life, where they befriended many fellow Hungarian immigrants, who became their “new family”.

Without Canada’s generous welcoming of so many from Hungary, our lives would have played out quite differently, and probably without the strong ties we have enjoyed with one and other over the past 68 years. How privileged we all were to have so many “aunts, uncles and cousins”.

Elizabeth started working as soon as she and Paul arrived in Toronto at various jobs in order that they could save enough money to purchase their first house. At a time when many women worked in the home raising children, Elizabeth continued to work outside the home at Columbia Records, after the birth of her daughter in1961 until 1967, to help financially secure the family home, which they purchased in 1964. She balanced family and work with great care, always ensuring that family came first.

During the 45 years with her beloved husband Paul, they loved to entertain, throw lavish parties, where everyone danced into the wee hours of the morning. Her love of cooking, baking, sewing and crafts brought her much joy, as well as to her family. She and Paul loved to travel, attend the theatre and opera. They had a “joie de vivre” and an appreciation for life, having seen the grittier side as young adults in Hungary.

Elizabeth and Paul both believed that life was not always about the grand gestures, but rather about daily examples of a life well lived. They lived their lives with respect and integrity and understood how they were a role model to their children, letting them know how much they were loved every day. They shared the wisdom of their knowledge and experience and encouraged their children to dream big.

Elizabeth was a very strong, resilient and independent woman and this served her well for the challenges that life presented her, including three separate battles with cancer. Her strength is what sustained her, along with family and friends, at the time of the sudden and tragic passing of Paul in 2001. Elizabeth worked tirelessly to keep life “normal” after Paul’s passing, unselfishly thinking of her children.

Her wonderful presence will be sadly missed; however, she will now be reunited with Paul after 23 years and she may rest peacefully after a very full life.

We are sincerely grateful for the exceptional care given to Elizabeth at Revera Donway Place for the past 8 years.

Our thanks and gratitude also extend to the staff at Michael Garron Hospital, Sunnybrook Palliative Unit and Humber River Reactivation Centre for the exceptional care she received over the past 6 months.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 16, 2024 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Paul O'Connor Funeral Home 1939 Lawrence Ave. E. Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Church 432 Sheppard Ave. E.; light reception to follow. Online condolences and memories can be shared at www.pauloconnorfunerals.ca.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Elizabeth’s memory may be made to Sunnybrook Foundation Odette Cancer Centre or the charity of your choice.