Obituary of Jitka Dvoracek

Jitka Dvoracek (Nejedla) passed away peacefully with her family by her side at WRHN – Midtown (formerly Grand River Hospital) on August 1, 2025.

We are all sad and our hearts are devastated by her loss. She was such an enormous presence, full of life and plans. She was smart funny and beautiful; her devotion and unshakeable loyalty was the cornerstone of our family. Her absence leaves a huge void in all our lives.

Jitka was born in Vamberk Czech Republic on September 7, 1939. She grew up with her parents, younger brother and aunt whom she adored. She excelled athletically in volleyball, traveling throughout the country for matches as well as academically earning a place at Charles University in Prague. Jitka met Zbynek Dvoracek, the love of her life, during her time in Prague. They were both academics; she an electrical engineer and he a physicist; she admired his intellect and gentle nature. They were married in 1963 at the Staroměstská radnice (Old City Hall) in Prague and started their life together living in a romantic dirt floor attic of an old building on Platnéřská Ulice. In 1968, Russian tanks invaded, rolling through the streets of Prague; the very next day Jitka and Zbynek along with their first two children Mirka and Vlada emigrated to Canada.

Jitka loved Canada and called her new country in loosely translated terms, “the desired land”. Jitka and Zbynek welcomed their third child Michael in 1970. The following years were a joy filled time with trips to New Hampshire, the Great Lakes, local parks and northern Ontario. Jitka lost her beloved husband in 1979. She was resilient and strong; we never saw her back down from anything. Jitka began a second career in the library at the University of Waterloo where she happily remained until her retirement in 2004. After Zbynek’s death, Jitka experienced trips with her children; adventures in Hawaii, skiing in Vermont, driving across North America in a van, and rafting down the Grand Canyon. Jitka loved skiing, swimming, travelling, and visiting with her friends. She loved spending time with her family, especially her three granddaughters whom she cherished. She coined Chicopee her “beloved Chicopee” and never failed to wave at the hills as we drove by them along Highway 8. She skied there until 2023. She loved her yearly ski trips all over North America, as well as her trips all over the world with her many friends. Jitka was fearless and a natural leader, she brought people together and she taught us all to “do it now” and impressed upon us to “be happy”. If you asked her to go somewhere or do anything the answer was always yes. To be with her and know her, to witness her loyalty, unfailing commitment to duty, and engagement in this life is once in a lifetime, and for that we will forever be incredibly grateful.  

Jitka is survived by Vladimir Dvoracek and his wife Fang, Michael Dvoracek and his wife Mary, Mirka Freemantle and her husband Rick and her beloved granddaughters, Shannon Proulx and her husband Fred, Nicole Curran and her husband Devon, and Julia Otzyv and her husband Alex, as well as her brother Julius Nejedly, her closest friend Dana Armstrong, and her cousins Eva Krejsa and her husband Vasek, and Jirka Slama and his wife Ivana in the Czech Republic. Last November Jitka went with Mirka and Vlada to Grand Bend. They walked on the beach, ate veggie burgers, had a drink, and watched the sun set over Georgian Bay. Jitka is now in the land of endless ski runs and swaying Hawaiian palm trees.

Cremation has taken place. Condolences for the family and donations to a charity of your choice may be arranged through www.erbgood.com.