Marcella Jean (Williamson) Hudec

Marcella Hudec
March 29, 1931 – April 20, 2022

Marcella, Mom, Nana (as she was called by many children beyond her own family) passed away peacefully on April 20, 2022 at Huntsville District Memorial Hospital. She will be deeply missed by her children, Michael (and Emila), Laura (and Paul) and Peter (and Victoria) and by her grandchildren, Melanie (and Brad), Gillian (and Dallas), Stephen (and Aubrey), Madeleine (and Chris) and Elaina. She was proud as punch of her four great-grandchildren, Olivia, Hannah, Benjamin and little Eleanor. Predeceased by her beloved husband, Zdenek (Stephen), her loving brother Peter, and her parents, James and Laura Williamson (nee Marcellus … not a coincidence). Marcella will also be missed by a legion of extended family and many friends, especially her lifelong BFF Marlene Kocvar and dear sister-in-law Maureen Williamson.

Never one to back down from life’s challenges, Marcella could best be described as a firecracker. From being widowed at the young age of 42, to gradually losing her eyesight in her later years, she bore adversity with practical determination. (Don’t tell her she can’t walk her dog independently, go bowling, or manage her own disbursement of meds that would baffle a pharmacist just because she couldn’t see!) And God forbid her lipstick didn’t match her very co-ordinated outfits.

Her working years were spent as a devoted registered nurse with a true passion for labour and delivery, which she called ‘the happiest place in the hospital.’ Hundreds if not thousands of babies owe their safe passage into the world to Marcella, with the gratitude of the mothers she cared for in the process.

Although not particularly outdoorsy, she nevertheless embraced cottage life in Bala. Multiple generations of family and friends fondly remember her cottage as an important part of their childhoods. As one of them said fondly on her passing, “I want to be at the cottage hearing her yell at me to shut the damn door.”

Nana, you were truly a force of nature and have left us with an abundance of little life lessons, sayings and swear words to carry us through the years to come.

We are stronger for your strength. And warmer for your love.  Not to mention the warmth provided by all those afghans that you continued to knit, without the benefit of sight, right up to your last day. Rest in peace,  Marcella.

Her family wishes to thank the caring staff at Muskoka Traditions who went above and beyond especially during her last months and for a 91st birthday celebration that put her over the moon. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, May 13, 2022 from 2-5 pm at Deerhurst Resort.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the CNIB or Canadian Lung Association would be greatly appreciated.