Obituary of Brigitta Arnoti

Brigitta Arnoti’s Life & Memories Brigitta Hertha Gabriella Arnoti was born in Munzing, West Germany on September 19, 1947 to her parents, Edeltraud Pauline (née Zakrzyk) and Bela Adolf. Her mother was Austrian and her father was Hungarian. Her sister, Evelyn (Lynn) was born eight years later. The family immigrated to Canada when Brigitta was a child, first living in Montreal and then moving to Ottawa. Brigitta attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel School for elementary school. Then, she went on to Glebe High School. The Arnoti family lived in a beautiful home on Glebe Avenue. In 1966, Brigitta enrolled at Carleton University and earned her B.A. in Psychology and French. In 1967 Brigitta was a Host for Expo 67 in Montreal and conducted VIP tours in two official languages. In the 1970’s, Brigitta travelled the world and held down many interesting and exciting jobs. One of her earliest gigs had her reporting for Skyline Cable TV in Ottawa. She also hosted her own weekly television program on community affairs on MSA/Cable TV when she lived in Abbotsford, BC. Brigitta’s career saw her working as a Correspondence Writer for the office of Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. She loved to tell the story of dancing with Prime Minister Trudeau when she was working as a Host at Expo 70 in Japan! In the 1980’s and 1990’s, Brigitta wrote articles on health, arts, social justice, and tourism for magazines including Habitat, Canadian Social Trends, Canadian Medical Association Journal, and Canadian Heritage Magazine. She edited several books and newsletters on law, tourism, music, and women. Brigitta never ceased to amaze her friends and family. She impressed audiences when she was a disc jockey in Japan and wowed them with her elegance when she competed as a Beauty Queen. Although she was proposed to by 8 different men, she was never married and lived life as a strong feminist. Brigitta was no stranger to adventure and wasn’t afraid to take chances. In 1975, she met Dr. Michael Bale and their daughter, Tanya Michelle, was born in Vancouver in 1976. Brigitta was a loving mother to Tanya and is remembered by Tanya’s friends for taking them to the maple sugar bush, Terry Fox Runs, Upper Canada Village, and hosting the best Halloween and birthday parties on the block. Brigitta had many interests and hobbies. She loved dogs, especially Prince, Copper and Scooby. She was an avid photographer, cyclist, downhill skier, stained glass artist, and loved doing macramé. She was very health conscious and extremely well read in alternative medicine, vitamins, and organic foods. In 2012, Brigitta moved to True Davidson Acres, just north of the Beaches in Toronto, a beautiful nursing home overlooking Taylor Creek Park. She was cared for by a very kind and compassionate team on 3 West. In 2014, Brigitta became an Omi to Scarlett. And although Brigitta could no longer speak, she developed a very special bond with Scarlett and her granddaughter loved her dearly. Brigitta passed away peacefully in her suite at True Davidson Acres, while listening to Mozart, with Tanya and Jason by her side on Friday, October 21 at 1:15 pm. She has been cremated and her ashes will be lovingly placed in a niche at St. John’s Norway Cemetery and Crematorium in the Beaches in Toronto. A Celebration of Brigitta’s Life will take place for close friends and family at the "eco Life Celebration Centre" Urban Gallery (400 Queen Street East, Toronto, east of Parliament on the north side) on Sunday, November 6 from 1-4 pm, with a Tribute delivered at 2:30 p.m. The venue is streetcar accessible and there is street parking available. Brigitta’s passion for health, kind nature, sense of humour, and loving heart will be missed by her cousins in Austria and the US, and family and friends in Toronto and Ottawa. Donations to the Huntington Society of Canada would be most appreciated, in her honour and can be made here at her Memorial Website where photos, sentiments and stories can be shared. Uniquely entrusted to eco Cremation & Burial Services Inc. Life Celebrations. Done Differently. Look to this day! For it is the life, the very life of life… For yesterday is already a dream, And tomorrow is only a vision; But today, well lived Makes every yesterday A dream of happiness And every tomorrow A vision of hope. - By Kalidasa, Sanskrit poet