Jul 3, 1956 - Feb 22, 2018
It is with great sorrow and heavy hearts we announce the passing of Radmila Kacavenda, on Thursday, February 22, 2018 of South Wellington after a courageous battle with cancer and struggling many years with health issues.
Radmila was 61. She was born on July 3, 1956 in Calgary, Alberta. After completing high school there, she and her family moved to Nanaimo in 1973 where Radmila met and married the love of her life, Milan Kacavenda. She had many talents and worked briefly as a florist, and as a hairdresser. Her greatest achievement was completing her training as a Practical Nurse. She worked at Chemainus Hospital for nearly ten years and later dedicated herself to making her home and flower garden a special sanctuary.
She also provided child care, in a loving and caring environment filled with humour and adventure, for her nieces, Tasha, Taylor and Angelica, and her nephew Alexander.
Radmila enjoyed traveling with Milan to Hawaii, California, Mexico Las Vegas and short trips in their RV. A highlight of their travels was to attend various accordion festivals around the province. Many enjoyable hours were spent listening to Milan playing the accordion as she sang along to some of the songs from the "Old Country."
Radmila endured her illness with grace and dignity. She was independent, spirited and a fighter until her last breaths.
She is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Milan, her mother, Mary Vasic, sisters, Kathy (Roberto) Qualizza, Olga Vasic, brother Stevan, sister-in-law Bernadette (Larry) Kulai, brother-in-law George (Karen) Kacavenda, brother-in-law Dave Wooliscroft, nieces Angelica (Jordy Smith), Tasha, Taylor, Rashae, Christina (Jesse Jamison) and Laura, nephews Alexander, Nicholas (Dana), and Clayton (Brandi), as well as her aunt Ruth Jordanov, and relatives in Nanaimo, Vancouver and Calgary.
Radmila was predeceased by her father, Bogdan Vasic in 2012. The family wishes to express their appreciation for the wonderful care and dedication from Dr. Jonker, Deann (home care nurse), Edward and Melanie McCormick and all of the home support workers who made it possible for Radmila to remain at home during her illness.
A memorial service at Sands Funeral Home will be held at 1 Newcastle Avenue, Nanaimo on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made in Radmila's name to the Cancer Society.