Katerina Haka-Ikse

Obituary

Katerina Haka-Ikse October 26, 1926 in Athens, Greece– November 5, 2017 in Toronto   Katerina Haka-Ikse passed away after a brief illness, shortly after the passing of her beloved husband Andrew Talivaldis Ikse.  Hers was a long and happy marriage that thrived on deep bonds of affection. Katerina was the daughter of Lilly and Konstantinos Haka.  Katerina will be remembered by her niece Maria Korina Haka and by her extended Greek family. Especially meaningful in Katerina’s life were her brothers Pavlos and Dimitris. Katerina also had a third brother Nicholas. Cousins from the Sparis, the Rombapas and the Vokotopoulos families were important in her life as well Katerina was the step-mother of Astra Vitols Ikse (Karl Bandenieks).  She always spoke lovingly about her grandchildren, Mara, Emma and Beatrise.  She extolled their many artistic virtues. Katerina was a Fulbright Scholar who studied paediatric psychiatry in Athens, at the Sorbonne, at Yale, Johns Hopkins University and at the University of Toronto.  Her expertise in child development made her a significant catch for the University of Toronto Medical Faculty and for the Toronto Sick Children’s Hospital. Katerina spent her very long professional career as an educator and diagnostic professional in the service of better health for children. She was much respected in the medical community.  She was always busy and very engaged throughout her time a medical specialist. Katerina’ had a special love for opera and the world of classical music. Katerina was active in the Toronto Wagner Society and she and Andrew engaged in annual pilgrimages to centers of Wagnerian excellence. Katerina loved her house in Limni, Greece and made sure that her friends and relatives were invited to join her there over many years. While in Limni during many summers, Katerina made herself available to the community for diagnostic sessions with children who would not normally have access to medical help. Katerina attended conferences around the world and in so doing not only did she support activities in her field of expertise, she also ensured her own self-education in the wonders of world aesthetic experiences. Katerina was respected by her world-wide community of children’s health specialists. During her quiet times after work she enjoyed her sophisticated home, one that was filled with many examples of mid-century modern furniture that was highly curated for its excellence. The walls of her home were the repository of modern, and to her, calming works of art. Katerina was well known for dispensing logical and useful advice. She was an advocate of supporting children by trusting in their personal strengths.  She had a deep and abiding confidence in the ability of children to solve their own problems and in that way learn to be successful adults.  She believed in the importance of instilling a sense of trust and confidence. These are watchwords that should resonate in modern child care. Katerina will be remembered at a memorial gathering at the Hart House Gallery Grill Bar on Thursday November 16 between 4:00-7:00 P.M.  Her friends and colleagues may gather to share their anecdotes about her as a person who contributed much to our society.

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