Rosalind Joanne Zurkowsky

Rosalind Joanne Zurkowsky, 73, of Toronto, passed away on January 8th , 2024 after a courageous three month battle with cancer.

Roz was born April 12th, 1950, to Michael and Regina Zurkowsky in Toronto, ON. After graduating with a bachelor’s in nursing, she continued on to get her master’s in education with a focus on marital family therapy as her true passion was to assist women and children experiencing physical and emotional abuse.

Known for her compassion, big heart, and fiery attitude, Roz will be dearly missed by all who knew her. The Zurkowsky-Simpson family asks that she be remembered for the joy she brought to others in life not the sadness of her passing. She is survived by her husband Glenn, her children and their partners Aaron and Joy and Zachary and Sabrina, her grandchildren Parker and Noah, her brother Herb, her nephew and his partner Ryan and Morgan, their two children Nora and Quinn, and her beloved friend of 68 years Ruth Levkoe.

Memorial donations may be made to Interval House. https://intervalhouse.ca/take-action/donate/

Message of Condolence

Posted on 10.01.2024 - 2:04 PM

Mardi Hirshberg

Dear Family: It is with great sadness that I heard of Roz’s passing. I met her initially in kindergarten and although we did not keep in touch through all the years, since our school reunion about 10 years ago, our group has become very close. I particularly had the pleasure of Roz’s company as we drove to meet our other friends. I am so glad to have had this time with Roz and will miss her greatly. Haim and I hope that your memories will carry you through this difficult time. Fondly, Mardi Hirshberg

Reply • Report

Posted on 10.01.2024 - 2:47 PM

Marty York

Dear Herb, sending you my deepest condolences. I know the respect, admiration and love you felt for your sister, going back to the days of our youth. Roz was an exceptional woman - intelligent and wonderful. May her memory be a blessing.

Posted on 10.01.2024 - 3:06 PM

Howard Berger

Herb: My thoughts are with you in these very difficult hours. You know where I am. Call anytime you need an ear.

Posted on 10.01.2024 - 3:57 PM

Briar Harris

Dear Glenn and boys deepest sympathies on the passing of your mom I hope she did not suffer. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I will see you as you sit shiva. I was very fond of your mother she had a great sense of humour and was a good friend. See you later Briar

Posted on 10.01.2024 - 4:32 PM

Ruth Levkoe

Dear Glenn, Aaron, Zachary and Herb-my deepest condolences on the loss of your amazing wife, mother and sister. She tried so hard and battled through so many health challenges to be there for all of you and especially Parker and Noah. May her memory be a blessing.

Posted on 10.01.2024 - 4:50 PM

Really loved and respected Roz. Excellent heath care provider and good fried Aaron is my sons best friend for decades. Loved by her family and others provided unparalleled supported to her patients

Posted on 10.01.2024 - 5:32 PM

Hindy Singer

Dear Glen and Family, I am so sorry for your loss of Roz. She loved you all so much. I will miss our long conversations and lunches. She became my friend in our latter years. But, I will always hold her dear in my heart. . May your great memories sustain you as time goes on. BDE.

Posted on 10.01.2024 - 5:41 PM

Harold Zuckier

Marcie and are so very saddened to hear about Roz. I will always remember Roz as a smart outgoing and strong person. May she rest in peace

Posted on 10.01.2024 - 6:38 PM

Samantha Williams

Words cannot express the shock and sadness I feel after learning about Roz’s passing. Such a wonderful, kind, loving, generous friend. I will miss her dearly. Please accept my deepest condolences Glenn, Zachary and Aaron. Sending lots of love.

Posted on 11.01.2024 - 9:16 AM

Joni Vegotsky

Dear Glenn, Aaron, Zachary and family, my deepest condolences on the passing of your wife ,Mom ,Bubbie and sister. Roz loved her family dearly and would always be there for them in any capacity she felt they needed. She was a true warrior, an advocate when it came to her clients especially women who had suffered any form of abuse. Roz was a strong ,vibrant woman who readily spoke up if she saw what she perceived as an injustice. She was also a loving friend who will be sorely missed.

Posted on 11.01.2024 - 10:21 AM

Dorothy Bakos

With deepest sympathy to Roz's family and friends. Roz will be dearly missed.

Posted on 11.01.2024 - 10:38 AM

Jill Zolderdo

Roz - you were a remarkable woman - a real firecracker! I enjoyed our chats and will remember you for your kindness.

Posted on 11.01.2024 - 12:51 PM

Maureen Switzman

Dear Aaron, My deepest condolences to you and your family. May your memories bring you comfort at a very difficult time.

Posted on 11.01.2024 - 5:52 PM

Gail & Sol Hadef

Dear Herb, Please accept our heartfelt condolences. May memories of happy times spent with your sister ease your grief.

Posted on 12.01.2024 - 9:04 AM

Dawn Hopps

Roz was an incredible woman. I will never forget a lesson she taught me one day at work. She said when I wish someone Merry Christmas, I am not considering any other celebrated holidays. That really resonated with me and to this day, I make sure I wish people Happy Holidays because of Roz! When I started with Family Services in 1998 as a clerk, I will never forget the support, kindness and lessons she taught me that I will always cherish—my condolences to her family and friends.

Posted on 12.01.2024 - 9:06 AM

Marla

Take comfort in the memories that you share and in the knowledge that Roz helped an incredible amount of people to heal and flourish. She was truly a remarkable soul, someone who genuinely cared. I am so glad that I got to know her, she will definitely be missed.

Posted on 12.01.2024 - 9:27 AM

Riley Spigarelli

Words cannot express how sorry I am to hear of the passing of Roz. On behalf of everyone from DRIVEN, I want to express our deepest condolences to her family. Roz was a shining light and a gift at DRIVEN and we will never forget that. We still have clients hoping to re-connect with her to this day. Personally, I will never forget how she spoke of her family. The sparkle in her eye and the joy that her family brought her. Roz will be missed dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Posted on 12.01.2024 - 10:16 AM

Stephanie Taylor

I am so sorry to hear of this news. My condolences to her family. Roz and I would always sit next to each other at Union Meetings. We would compare snacks and chat about topics and issues. It was always comforting to be able to speak my mind and even tho there was a generation gap, we thought the same way about the world. She was a classy and strong woman who had wit and charm, and she was one of my favourite people.

Posted on 12.01.2024 - 11:30 AM

Steve Simmons

Herb - so sorry to learn about your sister's passing. My your memories of her stay with you forever.

Posted on 12.01.2024 - 12:22 PM

Delia Jarczyn

Aaron, it's been a while, but I saw the posting and wanted to say that I was so sorry to hear about your mother's passing and send my sincere condolences to you and the rest of your family. I didn't know your mother well, but remember her as being very pleasant and always smiling during our Exchange days, and hey, that says something, considering the way you were back in the day, right? ; ) I'm sure that you have countless good memories of her to share with your children, and that you will be able to keep her spirit alive for them in this way. I wish you long life, as is the British custom, and send my love and best wishes to you all.

Posted on 12.01.2024 - 12:32 PM

Shirley McCann

Glen and family, I am so sad and shocked to hear of Roz’s death. She was well loved, and respected by her co-workers and clients. I had the great pleasure of working with Roz for 21 years in the Ajax office and saw first-hand the positive changes she made in the lives of her clients. Roz put the needs of her clients above her own, and many times would see clients during her lunch hour. We both became grandparents around the same time and I always enjoyed the times we shared pictures, and told cute stories of our grandkids, she was so proud of them. Roz was loving, caring, and hard-working and I’m so happy that I had the privilege of working with her. Will miss her beautiful smile. My deepest condolences to you, Aaron, and Zach.

Posted on 12.01.2024 - 12:35 PM

Kristie Osmond-Jones

I am so very sad to hear of Roz’s passing. She was very dear to me and i learned so much from her. She gave so much to her colleagues and her clients. She was fearless and spoke truth to power with such conviction. She shared so much of her wisdom with me and taught me a lot about her faith and even brought me along to her synagogue one evening for a beautiful service that was so moving. Glenn, you were her love. Her eyes sparkled when she spoke of you. And her children and grandchildren made her complete. Rest easy my friend. Your work here is done.

Posted on 13.01.2024 - 7:47 PM

Kathie Rideout

My deepest condolences to Roz’s family and friends. Roz was a wonderful person - warm, caring, smart, a strong advocate for the people she worked with. I remember well our conversations about her family and was always struck by the love and pride she felt for them. Roz was treasured by many and will be greatly missed.

Posted on 17.01.2024 - 12:02 PM

The Eyeglass Factory

We read with sadness of Roz's passing. We always enjoyed her visits to the Eyeglass Factory. She was a caring, kind and entertaining person. May the memories that you hold dear warm your heart in the coming days.

Posted on 26.01.2024 - 8:26 PM

Steve and Jackie tabac

Dear Herb Just learned of your sister Rosalind’s passing after a short bout with cancer. Our sympathies are extend to all her family at this time. May her memory be for a blessing. Jackie and Steve Tabac

Posted on 02.02.2024 - 12:01 PM

MaryAnne Peacock

Dear Family. I was saddened to hear of Roz's sudden death through our NTCI Newsletter today. Roz and I were friends at high school and at U of T Nursing. We did Majoretting together at both schools and had lots of fun doing so. Sending you all my sincere condolences. Mary Anne Ward Peacock

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