Obituary of Magdalena Benzinger

Passed away peacefully on November 3, 2024 in her 100th year surrounded by her family. Beloved wife of the late Michael (2021), dear daughter of the late Anton and Magdalena Paupert (née Hehn), and special aunt to Mathias Pokorny. Loving mother of Eleonora (2015) and Robert Mayer, Ray and Pat Benzinger, Rita and Steve (2024) Winn, Claudia and Angus Francis, Walter Benzinger and Iuna Tomasini, and Robert and Karen Benzinger. Cherished “Omi” to her grandchildren Christopher (Gabriela), Matthew (Marie), Andrea, Jessica (Jerrald), Alexander (Keshia), Sarah (Steve), Rachel (Arzaan), Cosette (Luca), Alexa (Sab), Michael, Sophia (Doran), Danielle, Maya (Kyle), Joseph and Monica and to her great-grandchildren Miles, Lennon, Brynley, Finn, Hudson, Addilyn, Gage, and Cole.

Magdalena was a proud Donauschwaben, born in Hodsag, Yugoslavia. As a teenager, she was interned in a Russian slave-labour camp. Here, she caught the eyes of her husband-to-be, Michael. He sought any and every opportunity to be with her - swapping job assignments, modifying work schedules, and purposely missing his ride to ensure he shared a car with her. But could we blame him? She lit up his world. They soon became each other’s first and last loves, and she became his “Lenka”. If you knew Magdalena, you knew her warm and kind smile. She was always one to focus on the good in life and behind the barbed wire of the slave-labour camp was no exception. We can quote them saying, “we both came to Russia, yes, to find each other”. In 1950, Magdalena and Michael made Austria their first home and they started a family. Soon, they would immigrate to Canada and the family of four quickly became a family of eight. They were married for 70 very happy years. Magdalena worked as a nurse’s aide at Hôtel-Dieu Hospital until 1961. Her experience as a nanny during early adolescence anchored her fate - constantly being surrounded by the little ones. Fifteen grandchildren and eight (almost nine!) great-grandchildren later, we can’t help but wonder what was in her strudel!

We thought of Omi the way she thought of Jackie Kennedy - stylish and graceful. But the trait we will all best remember her by is her strength - it never withered, not for a second. Magdalena was an artist in the kitchen and at the sewing machine. We can still smell her famous ribisel (red current) cake and hear her recounting her days of “sewing, sewing, sewing, always sewing”. Her responsibilities extended to being the local President of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada and a proud and dedicated member of St. Michael’s German Catholic Church. There is a saying, “Behind every great man is a strong woman.” and this is certainly the case with Magdalena and Michael.

Lenka is remembered in each of her six children. Eleonora had her creativity and her maternal instincts. Ray shares her love for babies and her great hair genes. Rita constantly inspires us through Omi’s grit. Claudia carries on her faith and wears her smile. Walter’s levels of strength are inexplicable, as were Omi’s. And with Robby’s gentle-hearted nature, you can’t help but love him, just like our Lenka.

Omi, we miss you dearly. We know that your and Opa’s love story is nowhere near finished. Please give him, Ellie, and Steve a kiss and a hug from us all.

We thank Magdalena’s incredible team of caregivers at Huron Lodge, specifically those on the Poplar floor, and at Sunrise Senior Living for their outstanding care and support, their patience, and their kindness. Visitation will be held at WINDSOR CHAPEL (Central Chapel) 1700 Tecumseh Road East on Friday, November 8, 2024 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Parish Prayers at 7:30pm. Visitation will resume at St. Michael’s German Church on Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 10:00am until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00am. Burial to follow at Heavenly Rest Cemetery. Following the burial, friends and family are invited to join a Celebration of Magdalena and Michael’s Lives at the Teutonia Club located in the Fogolar Furlan Windsor. In memory of Magdalena, memorial donations may be made directly to St. Michael’s German Church. Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared at www.windsorchapel.com