Margita 'Margaret' G. Papp

Margita “Margaret” Gizella Papp

At Norfolk Hospital Nursing Home, Simcoe Ontario on February 1, 2021, Margita Gizella Papp passed away peacefully in her 79^th year.  Margita was born July 11, 1942 to Rosalia Bor and Matthiae Toth in the village of Csurog, Yugoslavia.  She was the oldest child, with a younger brother.

Hardship was no stranger to Margita, at the age of 3; the village Mohol where her family’s lives were invaded by rebels who killed her father.  Margita had to drop out of school in grade 4.  She had to grow up quickly to help her mother put food on the table and help raise her younger brother.  Margita learned at a young age how to be a hard worker.  As a teenager, a family friend gave a photo of Margita to Gyula Toth who immigrated to Canada from Hungary during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.  Gyula and Margita exchanged love letters for 2 years before she came to Canada to meet him. Two weeks after they met they were married December 12, 1961; she was only 19 years of age.  They started their lives on a tobacco farm in Courtland, Ontario.  They attended the Hungarian Presbyterian Church in Delhi where they met Janos and Erzebet Papp and the couples became good friends. 

Margita lost her first husband Gyula to cancer in 1971.  Before Gyula passed away he asked Janos Papp to look after Margita and her children.  Both now widowers, Janos fell in love with Margita and they were married May 10, 1972 at the Presbyterian Church in Delhi - where they had first met. Combined they had 4 children together.  Life for Margita, Janos and family on the tobacco farm was good.  Their most enjoyable time together was entertaining family and friends.  She enjoyed cooking traditional Hungarian meals and her baking skills were extraordinary.  Every Sunday the family would come home from church and there would be homemade csiga leves, cabbage rolls and fried chicken.  No matter who showed up, there was always an extra plate.  During tobacco harvest, she would cook for the hired hands on the farm feeding up to 20+ people 3 square meals a day. Some workers would come to work on the farm only for her meals. 

Margita was a hard working mother who always put her children first so they could have a better life and opportunities she never had.  She spent countless hours taking the children to Sunday school, Hungarian dance lessons and Hungarian school.  During the Summer when it would get too hot to work in the tobacco fields she would take the family swimming at Deer Creek Dam to cool down, a family favourite outing.  Margita loved to spend time with family, friends, volunteering at her church and tending to her gardens.  Her family was her world.  She loved her grandchildren and God unconditionally.  She taught her children strong values and beliefs.  She was a quiet, loving Mother and was always there when needed. 

Margita is survived by her brother Nandor Toth. Loving mother of John Papp Jr. (Marianna), Elizabeth Papp, Julius Toth (Anita), and Pearl Keba (Jeff).  Cherished Grandmother to Elissa Papp, Nicholas Keba, Mitchell Toth, Matthew Keba, Matthew Frieser and Derek Toth.  Predeceased by her husband Janos Papp (January 26, 2021), her parents Rosalia and Matthiae Toth, and her first husband Gyula Toth.

The family wishes to express their thanks to the staff at Norfolk Hospital Nursing Home their exceptional care, compassion and support.

Cremation has taken place. Due to COVID restrictions, a private family interment will be held at a later date.  Memorial donations to the Norfolk Hospital Nursing Home, Alzheimer Society of H-N, or a choice of your own are appreciated and may be made directly, or by cheque through Wareing Cremation Services, 346 Simcoe Street, Tillsonburg, Ontario entrusted.  Your messages of remembrance and condolence may be shared at www.wareingcremation.ca