With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of Cesia “Celia” Mink, lovingly known to her family as “Bubu”.

 

Devoted wife of the late Yulek “Julius” Mink for 64 years. Predeceased by sister Bronia, with whom she survived The Holocaust. Also predeceased by parents Binyamin and Mindla Grosheit and brothers Henyik and Shlomik who did not survive. Mother of Jean, Ben, and Henry. Mother-in-law to Avi Rodak, Ingrid Friesen, and Lynne Dee Sproule. Grandmother to Rina (Matthew), Terri, Izzy (Ira), Lucie (Sonny), Gabe, and Joe (Grace). Great-grandmother to Zane, Bram, Jack, Annabel, Isaac, and Skye. Cherished aunt to many nieces and nephews. It feels impossible to envision our family without her.

 

Cesia was born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1926. She had a happy childhood but spent her adolescence in the Warsaw Ghetto, labour camps Skarzysko-Kamienna and Czestochowa, and concentration camps Majdanek and Bergen-Belsen. She met Yulek soon after liberation, and they lived in Poland and Germany before resettling in the United States as refugees, arriving at Ellis Island in 1949. After moving to Canada with their three children in 1961, Yulek and Cesia settled in Bathurst Manor and ran a family business together for more than 20 years.

 

She spent her final years at the Terraces of Baycrest. Our family would like to thank the incredible staff at the Terrace, especially social worker Shawn, as well as Rosaline, Cesia’s personal support worker during the pandemic.

 

Bubu was a tiny woman with immense presence. She was smart, funny, beautiful, fiercely independent, and had an enormous sweet tooth that exposed a childlike spirit. Her strong will and one-of-a kind personality remained until the end, and she will be deeply missed.

 

Memorial donations may be made to Yad Vashem at www.yadvashem.org, the Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre at www.holocaustcentre.com/, or the Holocaust-related organization of your choice.