Peacefully surrounded by her family at Ian Anderson House on Saturday, July 22, 2017.
Born March 20, 1931 in Drumheller, Alberta to Hungarian immigrants Balazs and Anna Levai. After years of working in the coal mines of Alberta, Balazs moved his family to Toronto on May 29, 1944. The family lived with friends on Wilcox St. for several years until they bought their own house, also on Wilcox. Sally finished high school and began to work at Simpsons downtown. It was during this time that Sally met Otto, her husband of 64 years, and they began to settle down in Toronto. Sally and Otto married on November 12, 1949 and lived with Sally’s parents, welcoming their first child Katherine in 1950. Sally stayed working at Simpsons until they could purchase their own first home on Campbell Ave. a year later. 1953 saw the birth of their second child Thomas, followed by the opening of Willow Cleaners, their tailoring and dry cleaning business at 463A St. John’s Rd. in Toronto on January 5, 1955. On top of being actively involved in the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church for all these years, Sally spent countless hours raising two children while helping to run the business, which was flourishing. 1961 saw the birth of their third child Michael. Sally’s greatest treasure was having her family around her. She enjoyed spending quality time with her children and grandchildren around the pool on Allanhurst Dr. In her latter years she welcomed visits from her great grandchildren; proudly sharing her famous Hungarian culinary heritage with them and all who would visit. Sally never let anyone go home empty handed and you were most certain to leave with two or more Tupperware containers of delicious home cooking to savor the next day. Sally enjoyed her time in the pool, travelling with friends or family, and watching her favorite game shows or soap operas. She was always up for a good game of cards, be it crazy rummy with her closest friends or cribbage with anyone who would dare challenge her. If you were lucky, you’d even be coaxed into multiple games of Scrabble!
Pre-deceased by her husband Otto, Sally leaves behind her sister Margaret, children Kathy (Claudio), Tom (Rosina), and Michael (Rebecca), grandchildren Jennifer (Riubert), Angela (Craig), Stephen (Sharon), Sarah, David (Carry), Andrea (John), and Avalon, step-grandchildren Daniel, Tyler, and Elliot and six great grandchildren – Sasha, Elijah, Anthony, Alejandro, Sarah and Grace. Special thanks to the Oncology & Palliative Care Team at Sunnybrook Hospital, all the caregivers at Birkdale Residence in Milton, and to the extraordinary and compassionate staff and volunteers at Ian Anderson House. Friends are welcome to call and have one last palinka with Sally at the R.S. Kane Funeral Home (6150 Yonge St., at Goulding, south of Steeles) Wednesday July 26th from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. A Funeral Mass to take place at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church (432 Sheppard Ave. E.) Thursday July 27th at 11am. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Ian Anderson House 430 Winston Churchill Blvd. Oakville, ON or the Sunnybrook Foundation. Condolences may be left at www.rskane.ca.
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