Obituary of Mariya Tontcheva

January 2, 1934 - Hadjilar, Romania 
September 27, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Marchelina Tontcheva of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, September 27, 2021 at the age of 87 years.

Marchelina was born in Hadjilar, Romania on January 2, 1934. She graduated from the First Lycée of Cilistra and then obtained a diploma in Business Administration from the Institute of Economics. Marchelina was actively involved in her residence's senior association, helping with numerous events. She worked as an accountant in several firms. Marchelina enjoyed travelling, reading, poetry, singing and music, nature walks, sewing, and bowling. She was a competitive Chinese Checkers player, sometimes spending hours a day challenging anyone willing to play with her. Marchelina loved animals and spending time with family pets. She had many professional awards of excellence and designations in her field of work. Marchelina was well travelled. She visited most countries in Europe, and travelled extensively throughout Canada and North America. There were so many memorable places, and if you asked her, she would probably have a hard time choosing just one favourite! Cruise on the Danube River, through Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria, at 42 years old was perhaps a trip that Marchelina would have loved to revisit. In her younger years, she was known for entertaining and hosting parties.

She loved helping everyone and devoted a lot of her time to her friends and family. She had a large extended family and loved Aurelia, Darius, Dennis, and Daniel like her great-grandchildren. Mariya will be most remembered for her energy, fighting spirit, and unconditional love. She will be terribly missed but will always be in our hearts.

Marchelina is survived by her two daughters, Milena Toncheva of Red Deer, and Violeta Tontcheva of Calgary; and three grandchildren, Dorothea Torrico of Toronto, Raddost Kirova of Calgary, and Maia Saraeva of Edmonton. Mariya is also survived by her sister Todorka Petrova of Varna, Bulgaria. 

Marchelina was predeceased by her husband Vasil Tontchev, her mother Elena Horozova, father Slavi Horozov, brother George Horozov, and her dog Astrid. 

Memorial Services will be held in Red Deer, AB, at a later date. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed here.

Силните жени са като птици
и често те се реят в самота.
...Гори сълза във гордите зеници
и капва тихо някъде в пръстта

In living memory of Mariya Tontcheva, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area