Mom passed away at the Regina General Hospital on Saturday, May 15, 2021 with Candy by her side and everyone in her heart. Our mother always had a strong but gentle spirit and courageously battled to overcome all life’s challenges and especially her health in later years. Not once did she complain.
Virginia was predeceased by her parents David and Irene Tosh as well as her infant sister Brenda Tosh, her sister Dianne Moss, brother Prosper Tosh and brother-in-law Stan Pawsey. Virginia was also, recently predeceased by Katie Daschuk, wife of grandson Darrel Daschuk and mother to 3 of her lovely great-grandkids.
Virginia was born on January 14, 1948 in Whitewood, Saskatchewan, first born child of David and Irene Tosh. As a young girl on the farm she helped with everything from planting garden, picking bales, raising chickens and cattle and hauling grain with her parents and siblings. Always taking time out for a dip in the creek and exploring under the bridge. Mom attended school in Langbank, Saskatchewan making many lifelong friends and holding their memories and times together close to her heart.
In her teen years, she worked at St. Hubert’s Mission and also enjoyed the St. Hubert’s picnics and ball tournaments. She especially enjoyed the bagpipes and the highland dancers at the St. Andrews picnics.
Virginia married Ed Fonagy on October 29, 1977. They farmed together south of Kipling, raising 4 children. Ed, Virginia and kids were a real team working hard together and having fun on the Fonagy homestead. Mom always took special care of any little kitten, puppy or calf that may have been orphaned, drowning or just cold and needing warmth or a warm bottle of milk.
Mom enjoyed the years she and dad attended Bekevar Presbyterian Church with their 4 children in the earlier years. She taught Sunday School when called upon, which she really enjoyed. She spent a lot of time with her friends of the Bekevar Ladies Aide, helping to plan suppers, bake sales, funerals and different life celebrations for our community. Virginia was a friend to all.
Virginia is lovingly remembered and survived by husband Ed and their children: Kevin (Danielle), Candice (Joe), Carl (Angela) and Chad (Kelly) along with all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Virginia is also survived by her sister Barb Pawsey and family, brother Ken Tosh and brother-in-law Garry Moss and family. Virginia will also be missed by her in-laws Louise and Edward Daku, Dianna Fonagy, Edith Fonagy and Nick Antonishyn and their families.
A funeral service for Virginia will be held in the Kipling Presbyterian Church on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. with Marlene Tarr officiating.
If friends so desire, contributions may be made in memoriam to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Saskatchewan Branch, 2217 Hanselman Ct #1, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6A8 (www.kidney.ca).
Virginia is remembered as a loving Mom. Her children share the following thoughts and memories.
“Mom was the best at cooking and baking, canning and gardening and farming. You could just feel her love in everything she did and made. Cooking, crafting, gardening, baking chocolate cakes for Dad, tending to all of her perennials, perfecting her recipes and being that awesome wife and mother that she always was."
“In earlier years she loved having company come visit, especially her parents, relatives from near and far, special cousins, everyone! Her children along with their friends were always welcome.”
“Mom loved helping to make Hungarian noodles with her ladies aide group. She was always making cakes and squares in between driving kids to music lessons, figure skating, hockey practice, Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, you name it!”
“Virginia took a real interest in learning the Hungarian culture from her husband’s side of the family. She learned many wonderful recipes from Grandma Mary Fonagy and had help perfecting these from her sisters-in-law and Hungarian friends. Virginia even took classes to learn how to speak and understand some of the Hungarian language. All of Mom’s meals were simply amazing and Dad especially loved Mom’s potato salad. It was “Out of this world” according to Dad.”
“Mom lovingly passed her skills and knowledge along to each of her children, friends and anyone who asked. She was so happy that we still carry on her special traditions and recipes.”
“Virginia, with much gentle loving care, helped Dad grieve the loss of his parents, Frank and Mary Fonagy, brother Joe Fonagy, niece Roxanne Parsons and nephew Doug Daku.”
“As children, we saw the love our parents shared. Dad sat by Mom’s side protecting and caring for her every day for many years now. He would wait and watch for her smiling eyes to open and would say, “Hi Hon, how are you?” Mom always said, “Fine” with a smile on her face and then she’d drift back off to sleep. Never did she complain about her struggles with illness or her trials in life.”
"We have so many fond memories of Virginia (mom, grandma), walking through her garden (and stealing peas while we walked (Brenna!) and flower beds seeing the proud look on her face while she pointed out her favorite flowers. Smelling her wonderful cooking and baking when we walked through her door for a weekend visit. Watching her play and chase her grandkids around the living room always brought smiles and laughter to everyone. Sitting at her kitchen table and having long conversations and laughs while writing out our favorite recipes of hers to cook at home – so grateful for those recipes now, these meals will always remind of us of her whenever we make them, of course they never really taste as good as grandmas. Grandma’s spaghetti will always be one of our favorites. You will always hold a special place is our hearts and will be forever missed and loved dearly."
"From childhood, mom was always at my sports games cheering me on and she always planned the best birthday parties with the most amazing homemade cake! Mom always made my friends feel welcome and always allowed them over whenever I wanted. Whether we were moving farm equipment, working together during seeding and harvest (the rides in the grain truck with mom), working with the cattle, planting the garden, teaching me life lessons, and day trips to Kenosee Lake, mom was always there with a listening ear and a smile. As I got older and roles on the farm changed, she was always willing to help me whenever I needed a hand, during harvest. She kept our bellies full with meals for lunch and supper.
Our destination wedding in Victoria BC in 2003 is full of special memories. From the events of our wedding, to checking out all the tourist sites, and of course, who could forget the Whale Watching Excursion, it was a week full of fun and adventure. We have memories full of mom teaching us her recipes, which we will to continue to pass on for generations to come. Especially her dumpling, cabbage roll, cucumber salad and macaroni salad recipes. Whether we were riding the quads, working together on the farm, talking on the phone, hanging out together or even just the day trips to visit us on our camping adventures, a memory is never far from our minds. For example, summer bacon fry’s/wiener roasts with mom and dad, enjoying her homemade salads (macaroni salad..yum yum) or even just phoning her for a recipe, which she didn’t even have to look up, she knew them by heart.
Jaylyn and Talan have many, many memories, but managed to narrow it down to a few. Jaylyn recalls Grandma coming to town to pick her up, in between loads of grain, because Jaylyn was bored and called her. Talan says a special memory is all the sleepovers at the farm, playing games, and the unlimited supply of snacks and treats. But most of all their biggest memory is just coming out to the farm for the day.
As the years past and her health declined and she wasn’t able to do as much, but helped out in every way that she could. She never gave up or complained, she always had a positive attitude, and was full of smiles. She was not letting these illnesses slow her down. Mom was one of the strongest fighters we have ever known. Thank you for the grand adventure, until we meet again... Love you mom and grandma!"
“We love you Mom. Our memories of you will never fade. Your spirit lives on in each of us. Thank you for being our angel.”
Love Your Kids
“Love you Hon”
Love, Ed
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