Josephina (Josie) Toporoski (nee den Ouden)
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Josephina (Josie) Toporoski (nee den Ouden) on November 1, 2018 at age 72. She is survived by her sons Gary (Julie Zikman) and Marty (Christina Wilcott) and her grandchildren Jesse, Mazzy, Emerson and Marlo. Josie is predeceased by her parents Fred and Gertruda den Ouden of Alliston, and brother John. Mourning her loss are brother Alphonse (Judy), sisters Nancy Erhart and Trudy (Bob) MacKenzie, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Josie will be remembered as a selfless caregiver. As a mother she volunteered in all her boys’ activities and took on their education and betterment as her primary mission in life. For decades she worked in and out of the school system with students with special needs. Her greatest joys were in teaching others and in sharing her bright spirit with her community.
Grams loved her grandchildren as fiercely as she had her sons and doted on them whenever possible. Special packages in the mail for Emerson and Marlo would always be filed with her trademark happy faces, candy and photo albums. Weekend sleepovers for Jesse and Mazzy featured painting, box forts and outdoor fun no matter the weather.
Her love was felt by all those she cared for, even when she wasn’t with them in person, and her passing has left a hole that won’t easily be filled. The family would like to thank Justin Tunney for his friendship, support and the comfort he always provided to Josie. She will be missed dearly by him and by all who knew her.
Donations
Please consider donating to Kerry’s place autism service in memory of Josie at: https://www.kerrysplace.org/support-us/in-memory/.
Offer Condolence for the family of Josephina (Josie) Toporoski (nee den Ouden)
Nan
I will always miss you sister of mine, and will keep you very close to my heart.
I was always so very proud of you and we did have so many laugh’s. loved you with my heart❤️❤️
Trudy MacKenzie
To Gary and Marty and families:
I know the hole will be a big one to fill because your Mom participated so consistently in your lives with her love and care, and her love and care extended to your children. You all were her world and meant the world to her. I truly am sorry for your loss and the shock of her sudden and unexpected death.
I miss Joey in so many ways. The bonds we had in childhood were strong and included many situations where she took on the role of parent to me. She WAS a caregiver and sometimes she overstretched herself in this capacity at her own expense.
Joey was very gifted with her hands and had the ability to make a house a home with her talents of arranging and creating household decor yet bein frugal in the process.
I loved my sister Joey very much. She often called me Minnie although I grew taller than her.
Diana Macneil (nee Kiteley)
Dear Gertrude and Nancy
My heart goes out to you and all you families. I was so sad when I learned of Josie’s passing.
I will never forget those great times we had.
Love to you all
Diana