Happy 103th birthday, Rozi!

I started working at St. Gerard’s Parish in Calgary in 2021 and soon came to know the spirited community there. Each parishioner brings a unique gift, contributing to the warmth, faith-filled essence, and camaraderie that you feel as you walk in. Getting to know them personally is the best part of my job.
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Rozi Zorko is a long-term member of St. Gerard’s Parish. At 99 years old, she still drove to daily morning Mass! I was impressed and convinced that I had to meet her personally. One morning, as I was sitting at my desk, I saw her park her car. I wanted to meet this legend before she reached the entrance.

As I stepped out of the office, she tripped on the pavement, just a few steps from the church entrance. Oh no! Gordon, our maintenance guy, and I rushed to assist her. She graciously stood up like nothing had happened. When I asked her if she was okay, she replied, “I am fine!” Thankfully, she truly was, and we escorted her to the door.

I also got to know her daughter Mary, who informed me that Rozi was turning 100 in August 2021. However, Mary was having trouble getting a special certificate for Rozi’s 100th birthday from the Papal office in Rome. Due to time constraints, I managed to create a 100th birthday certificate to honor her, with a signature from our pastor, Fr. Ignatius Tran. The following year, thanks to the assistance of the Bishop's Office, I finally got Rozi her official 100th birthday certificate from Pope Francis. I believe it’s important to recognize milestones with simple gestures that mean a lot. This led to the celebration of monthly birthday and wedding anniversary celebrations every Friday after the 9 am morning Mass, as well as the posting of special occasions in our weekly newsletter and on our monitors.

Rozi at her 102nd birthday with her daughter Mary.

Celebrations like Rozi’s birthday bring the community together. We are called to be a Church of Encounter and Witness every day. At St. Gerard’s, visitors and strangers are always welcome to share a meal and their story. A family member visiting her mom had this to say: “One time when we attended Mass, a lady named Rozi had her 102nd birthday, and we were invited by her daughter to attend the party afterward.” The minute you walk into our space, you are part of our family! Pull up a chair—we’re here to listen to your experience.

Mary graciously shares a few details below about her mom, Rozi, on her 103rd birthday,  August 24, 2024. Please join me and the community in celebrating Rozi’s wonderful milestone.

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About Rozi

Rozi was born on August 24, 1921 in Prigorica, Yugoslavia (now Slovenia). Rozi was the fourth oldest in a family of 6 boys and 2 girls. She lived in Prigorica until 1945. The communists were taking over so the family fled to Austria where they were in a displaced persons camp. While living in the camp, Rozi was sent to work in a furniture factory. This is where she developed her carpentry skills.
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Rozi immigrated to Canada in 1948 and went to work as a domestic in Preston, Ontario. Her brother was working on the railroad in Alberta. When she came out to visit him, she met his friend Joe Zorko. Joe and Rozi married in 1949 and settled in Vauxhall where Joe was farming. One daughter died shortly after birth, then Mary was born two years later.

Times were difficult. Rozi, always a pragmatist, began to work in the fields to help Joe. She could be seen driving a tractor late at night. A woman doing "man’s work" was highly unusual. The traditional role of a farm wife was looking after children and the household.

Joe and Rozi retired from farming and sold the farm in 1975. They bought a home in Southwood, where Rozi still resides, and began attending St Gerard’s. After about a year of being a housewife, Rozi was bored. She got a job at Alcan Price working in the factory where they manufactured extrusions for windows and doors. She worked there for 10 years. During this time Joe and Rozi also acquired some rental property. Rozi was able to put her handyman skills to good use doing repairs, building fences, etc.

Joe passed away in 2001. Rozi continued looking after the rental property and working on projects around home. At age 95, she built a garden shed. Her philosophy has always been, don’t think about it, just do it.

Rozi has always been an avid gardener. She has roses, dahlias and other flowers growing around the yard. Her vegetable garden has downsized since the farm days, but she still has an abundant supply of vegetables and raspberries that she gives to friends and neighbors.

Rozi is probably the most active 100 year old around. She attributes her longevity to her faith in God and keeping active mentally and physically.

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Written by Gay Abuan-Summers, Pastoral Program Coordinator at St. Gerard’s Parish, Calgary. Gay is a widow of late Ryan Summers; a born and raised Calgarian, spiritual director, mentor and creative writer. 

​Photos courtesy of Rozi's family, and St. Gerard's Parish.