It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mande Culumovic our beloved wife, mother, and baba on November 29, 2023.

For 61 years Mande was a loving wife to Ivan (John) Culumovic, caring mother to her children, Paul (Lorene), Mary (Joe) and Steve (Gayle); and her six grandchildren, Adam (Nicole), Jenna, Anthony (Julia), Johnathon, Michelle, and Holly. She will be sadly missed by her sisters Marija (Tom), Jelka (David), sister in law Anka (Switzerland), nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents Stjepan and Josipa Kostelac and brother in law Josip Culumovic (Switzerland).

Mande was born in Prozor, Croatia on July 11, 1940, where she spent her youth before immigrating with her mother and sisters to Welland, Ontario in 1959. They were then reunited with their husband/father who arrived in Canada a decade earlier and had built them their family home. It was there in Welland at a Croatian community dance where Mande met her true love, Ivan.

They were married and moved to Oakville in 1963 where they started their family home. Mande was a wonderful, caring mother and homemaker who devoted herself to raising Paul, Mary and Steve. She always made it a priority to be an example for her children and grandchildren with her thoughtfulness and selflessness, and she wanted them to be a reflection of herself. Mande cherished her sisters and the three remained especially close, talking on the phone everyday and getting together at every opportunity.

Mande was a gifted seamstress who created and altered countless dresses for brides and bridesmaids. She was always coming to the rescue when a hole in the knee appeared on her grandsons' jeans or adjusting a hem on her granddaughters' dress before an event. Later in life, she worked for The Bay food court in Oakville Place, and most enjoyed catching up with regular customers and connecting with the community.

One of Mande's greatest loves was spending time with and cooking for her family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed getting the family together for Sunday morning breakfasts and went above and beyond to bring her family together. The love of her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and family get togethers is her lasting legacy.

We'd like to thank the wonderful and caring staff at Wyndham Manor who assisted Mande in the last five years of her life. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Society or Holy Trinity Croatian Church .

Mom, you will be truly missed and forever be in our hearts. We love you!

Visitation will be held on Friday December 1, 2023 at the Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home, 64 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville (one block East of Kerr Street) from 2 pm – 4 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm.  Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday December 2, 2023 at Holy Trinity Croatian Catholic Church, 2110 Trafalgar Road, Oakville at 10 am.  Interment to follow at Trafalgar Lawn Cemetery.