It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of “Mandy” Dorothy Mae Loski nee Bortolon on Saturday May 21, 2022 at the young age of 63. She passed away peacefully at her daughter's home with her husband, daughter and son by her side.
Mandy was the 4th eldest of 8 children. Growing up in a house with 7 siblings we had a simple life, and we all have our own story with Mandy. She made us all feel special in our own ways and accepted us the way that we were. In our younger years, we spent most of our time at the Oliver Road Community Center or in the neighbourhood with friends. Mandy attended Oliver Road Public School and Hammarskjold High School. As we got older we were often together on adventures, creating lifelong memories.
She met the love of her life at a young age, they married in 1977 and would have celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary this August. Ron and Mandy had many close friends, who they loved to get together with for fires/smokies, music and dancing until the sun came up. They had 2 children, Christopher and Jennifer who she devoted her life to. To say that she was proud of her children would be an understatement. She was the best mother to Jen and Chris, with endless amounts of unconditional love, support and guidance. She was always there for them no matter what was happening in their lives. Mandy was truly a mom like no other and while the relationships that they each had with her were unique, these bonds will never be broken as she will be forever in their hearts.
She was the number one fan of her daughter Jennifer who is a competitive cyclist. Mandy was at every race, cheering her on and at every finish line with the biggest smile, so full of love and pride. Mandy attended races in Thunder Bay, Southern Ontario and the highlight of Mandy's life was going to Italy twice allowing her to meet her dad's Italian family. These trips were dreams come true as she had a special and close relationship with her dad. It came naturally that the bond and love with our Italian family was like no other as they loved her so very much and are all truly devastated with this loss.
She also had a grandson Trenton whom she loved so very much. She spoke highly of him and with such honour, always talking about his success in his studies and life. Mandy was one proud grandma and always had a close and loving relationship with him. Mandy had unique and special relationships with all of her nieces and nephews and they each have their own story with “Aunty Mandy”. She was quite famous for her homemade perogies which were a hit at all of our family dinners and simply the best in Thunder Bay. Due to her love for animals, she always had a dog, the most recent one being Gunnar. As Jen shared her mothers love for animals, they always had a second home at Grandma's house. Jen’s new bunny Loki, whom Mandy adored, was no exception.
Mandy started working at Lakehead University in 1989 in the Chancellor Paterson Library shelving books, then moving on to work in the Library Binding services until later accepting a position in the Mail Room in December 2015. Anyone in her office or on her mail runs were always greeted with an infectious smile, a tight hug and baking that she brought into her office almost daily. She took tremendous pride in her job, was dedicated and went out of her way to help others without hesitation. She truly loved her career at Lakehead University and spoke highly of her co-workers as they were like family to her.
Another link in our family chain has been broken and we have sadly lost a piece of our hearts. Through the many years of changes in our lives, one thing that has always held true was our love for each other which we will hold forever in our hearts.
Left behind with no words that describe this tremendous loss is her husband Ron, son Christopher and daughter Jennifer Bell. She also leaves behind her sisters Joanne Liikala (Rob); Suzie Auld (George); Lorrie Bortolon (Randy) and Lisa Crocker (Brian). Numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and family also survive and all feel this loss as she was so deeply loved.
Now at peace, she is with her mom and dad, Helen and Alfie Bortolon; her sister Rosemary Kuznak; her brothers Johnny and Jamie Bortolon; her niece Melissa Liikala and great-niece Zoey McDonald. Also predeceased by her father-in-law William Loski, mother-in-law Elvie Loski, brothers-in-law Peter, Bill and Norman Loski and sister-in-law Susan Loski.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday June 12th, 2022 at the DaVinci Centre, Marco Polo Room from 1-4pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian CJD Foundation or a charity of your choice.
Until we meet again, you will be at every fire we
light and will be the shining stars sparkling high above us.
Taken too soon ~ Never ever forgotten
~We all love you Mandy forever and always~
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
