Obituary of Darclée-Irina Ziegler-Groza

It is with deep sorrow and immense love that we mourn the passing of Darclée Ziegler-Groza (née Selia) on April 1st, 2025, at the Ottawa Hospital, after a fierce and courageous battle with cancer.

Darclée is survived by her beloved daughter, Sara. She was predeceased by her spouse, Marian Buzdugan; her parents, Petre Selia and Irene Kiss; and her sister, Gabriella.

She will be greatly missed by her daughter Sara Buzdugan, her cousin Livia Carpen, and by countless friends who loved her deeply and stood by her side throughout Marian's long fight with ALS—and more recently, through her own journey these past several months.

Darclée was born on December 19, 1967, in Timișoara, Romania. She graduated from the Politehnica University of Timișoara in 1992 with a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering.

Creative, entrepreneurial, and full of bubbling energy, Darclée was always up to something. While at university, she joined the “Alpin” hiking club, where she met Marian—the love of her life. Together, Darclee and Marian immigrated to Canada and eventually settled in Ottawa in 1995. She went on to have a successful career in high tech, and most recently, worked at the Government of Canada as a Senior IT Consultant and Project & Team Manager.

Darclée loved life, loved people, and made friends wherever she went. Her beauty, generosity, kindness, and open heart always shone through. Her artistry and whimsy were irresistible. She was also an avid runner and traveler, always exploring new places and seeking the next great adventure with Marian and Sara—the greatest loves and joys of her life. Everyone who met Darclée knew she was the epitome of motherly love, protection, and devotion.

A born artist, Darclée found great joy in design and creativity—from the little mărțișor charms she hand-made and sold during university, to her impeccably elegant and refined outfits, which she often sewed herself, and the whimsical flower arrangements she filled her life with. Darclée’s entire life was a beautiful tapestry of art.

She studied the art of Ikebana at the Japanese Cultural Centre in Ottawa, taught herself to paint, and even learned to play the piano as an adult—all on her own.

A magnet for friends and an impeccable party hostess, Darclée’s art and heart were always on display—from the beautiful paintings adorning her living room, to the soothing sounds of Chopin’s Prelude she would sometimes play.

In recent years, leading up to and following Marian’s passing, Darclée sought answers and solace in spirituality. She joined a Bible study group and experienced a genuine, childlike joy in discovering the narratives of scripture and the deeply moving devotional psalms. She found true peace in prayer, and last summer, she invited friends to join her weekly online for a circle of prayer, gratitude, and love.

She once told a friend, “It all makes sense. I see it now so clearly. It is all God. All about love and light.”

And that is how her memory will live on in our hearts: All love and light.

A celebration of life and memorial service (non-liturgic) for Darclee will be held on  April 21^st, 2025, at 11:00am, at St Peter’s and St Paul’s Anglican Church (152 Metcalfe St, Ottawa).

DRESS CODE: as per Darclée’s express wish, please wear yellow, her favourite color, instead of the traditional black. 

In lieu of flowers, a Memorial Fund has been established to support Sara in honoring her mother’s legacy (e-transfer to siribuz@gmail.com).