May 16, 1950 – May 13, 2022
Dr. Edita (Edi) Bosák, a compassionate, loving and thoughtful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and educator passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family on May 13, 2022, age 71, at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s, NL.
Edi is predeceased by her parents, John and Amelia Bosák, (née Vaclavek) and many cherished aunts and uncles in Slovakia. She is mourned, and so very deeply missed, by her beloved hubby, Dr. Barnett Massey; sons, Barnett (Mitch), Neil (Donny), Rajash, Ranjeet, Shawnray; daughter, Sonja (Doug); grandchild, Sam; furry grand-pups, Remy, Archer, Mia; siblings, Anna; John; nephew, Johnathan (Brianne) and many beloved family members, friends and students around the world.
She was born in Stockholm, Sweden where her parents were stationed with the Czecho-slovak diplomatic corp. As an infant, her family defected to Canada to escape the oppression of Communism. She was raised by her humble, loving and hardworking family in Welland, Ontario. They instilled in her a great pride of her Slovak heritage, a love for Canada, a sense of compassion for others and a deeply engrained work ethic.
Edi had a brilliant and inquisitive mind. She obtained her PHD in 1982 from the University of London, UK, in Central and Eastern European history. A year later she became a professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland, where she taught until her passing. She touched the lives of many of her students, who decades later still talk about the interesting topics covered in her courses and how she had a positive impact on their lives.
She was a passionate life-long learner who not only excelled academically, but also had many hobbies and interests, including being an avid swimmer, traditional Slovak dancer, pianist, painter, reader, gardener and singer.
Edi also had a big heart and a spirit of volunteerism. She was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in the late 1980s, and given her struggle with this disease she served as National President of the Canadian Celiac Association (1995 to 2000), and as the Local President (1992 to 2008) working tirelessly to educate the public, as well as policy and decision makers. She was also actively involved in other academic and charity volunteer organizations such as the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Slovak Studies Association (President 1993-2000).
Visitation will take place at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, on Wednesday, May 18 from 11AM-1PM and 5PM-9PM, and Thursday, May 19 from 1PM-7PM. The funeral will be held from the Carnell Memorial Chapel, 329 Freshwater Road, on Friday, May 20 at 10AM with interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
In lieu of, or in addition to, flowers, donations can be made in Edi’s name to the Canadian Celiac Association, the Canadian Diabetes Association or Heavenly Creatures NL.
The funeral service will be livestreamed for those unable to attend. To leave a message of condolence for the family or to access the livestreaming link, please visit www.carnells.com.