Nadia Veronika Snajdr (Soltys)

Nadia was indeed a 'force' of nature. She nurtured it, and was forever-concerned with the way she could help and improve the natural living world around her.. She was also a wonderful artist.

Nadia's Garden was her canvas, and she painted with living plants, trees, shrubs, and flowers... She built the soil, hauled in every pail of sand from Falconbridge, brought in every rock, and planted a thousand times. She put every plant where it would be at its best, and if needed, she would move the plant a foot this way or that, if she thought it would like it there more.. She loved every plant, loved her Hostas, and would tell me their special names.."that's a Marilyn Monroe,.. that's a blue angel.." And she enjoyed the experience of it all, immensely. She would sit and have a sip of beer, pondering the beauty of it all, " Look how beautiful the Rhododendrons are", she would say..

But she loved to wander the garden, and sit in different places thinking about what she would transplant and where.. . She was always keenly observing the nature around her. Chippy the chipmunk, would scurry by her feet, and she took great joy in watching the chickadees and robins line up on the trees waiting for a turn to take a bird bath, which she kept fresh with exactly timed dripping water; 1 drop every 2 seconds.. Everything had to be just like it had to be.. She arranged every stone in the retaining walls. She made every concrete stepping stone; and laid on some, a large rhubarb leaf, to make a beautiful impression.. She designed the garden in a most beautiful and magical way.

She planted all the trees, and even some of the trees in the neighboring lots. Ol' Fat Albert, the Colorado spruce she planted 35 or more years ago, is now towering above the house, and the Lombardy Poplar behind the house is the tallest tree in the neighborhood. She cared for that garden for decades.. It was her way of leaving the world a better place. And it shows.. Front and back.

The garden was featured several times on Horticultural tours, and it a paradise for birds, bees, butterflies and all sorts of little creatures.. The back is a park-like, shade and sun garden, with fruits, herbs, and vegetables and the front is a yarden of cedars, lilacs, linden, apples, berries, herbs, and ornamentals, and a victory vegetable garden too. It is so beautiful all year round.

Nadia's garden is a special place, and she was a special woman. A true Earth steward, a loving mother, and great friend to all she met. We thank you so much, and are ever-grateful for all you did, and deeply thankful for all the blessings you've bestowed. Nadia, dear Mom, you are loved, and you are cherished, and you always will be. Be free, and be the beauty in the world, in all that we still see.

One of my fond memories is of an outdoor birthday party we all attended for our friend Jonas. When Nadia and Bob arrived, the friends were drinking lemonade, laughing and enjoying everyone's company. Nadia quickly found Jonas and gave him his gift which was a young tree, Jonas was unsure how to proceed, so Nadia grabbed a shovel (I think she brought it), made Jonas dig a hole and planted the tree then and there. That was Nadia, original, a force of nature and a woman who had her own great style.
You will be missed
Your friend Heather

Nadia was always such a bright spot when our group of friends got together
Her wit and humour so infectious
We will miss you
Bobby and family our thoughts and prayers are with you
Aliasing and Gord