Obituary - Slavica 'Sylvia' Luksa

December 11, 1934 ~ March 21, 2026

It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that the family of Slavica ‘Sylvia’ Luksa announce that she peacefully passed away with her beloved husband, Vinko, by her side in Medicine Hat on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the age of 91 years.

Sylvia immigrated to Canada from Croatia with her husband in 1957, where they quickly found a welcoming home of opportunity in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Their small suitcase was mostly filled with pioneering resilience and only a few dollars. Yet, this was motivating enough to find a way to stand-up the family business, Luksa Masonry, and get to work on building their new lives, and helping to build many of the communities and their neighbours around them. Service to others was an important theme and way of life for Sylvia – always helping to build, even if it were selflessly from behind the scenes.

The spirit and results of their perseverance eventually brought Sylvia and Vinko to Medicine Hat in 1962, where it was now the right time and place to make a home for good. Sylvia loved entertaining at home, camping with their dog, Max, and tending to one of the most impressive gardens on the prairies. Sylvia had immense pride and fulfillment volunteering around the city, particularly for the pediatric unit at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for over 15 years and with the Kiwanis Club of Medicine Hat for well over 40 years. Notably, Sylvia tirelessly rallied for humanitarian supports on many levels during the Croatian War of Independence in the early to mid 1990’s, for which her efforts were locally, nationally and internationally recognized.

Sylvia will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her husband, Vinko; sister, Ana and her family; brother, Vladimir (Irena); one step-son; brother-in-law, Frank as well as many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her young children, Lydia and William, who she loved so very much as well as her parents back in Croatia.

The family extends their deepest gratitude and a sincere thank-you to those who provided their very best compassionate care to Sylvia.

In respecting Sylvia’s wishes, no funeral service will be held. So, in recognition of her passing, perform an act of kindness for a stranger today with Sylvia in mind.

Počivala u miru Božjem – She rests in God’s Peace