The pain and struggle have mercifully ended after a long and often difficult battle with an unforgiving lung disease. In her 88th year, Teresa has finally received the angel wings she earned during a lifetime of love, devotion and caring for others, as she joins her beloved husband and soulmate Pasquale who left us in April.

Life wasn’t always easy for this sweet lady, whose heart seemed to have an unlimited capacity to love her family and friends. She had a hunger to learn and was a good student as a child, but post-World War Two Italy didn’t afford her the opportunity to stay in school, where no doubt she could have one day been a great school teacher. Instead, she went to work full time on the family farm at age 11 while also looking after younger siblings, some of whom had serious health challenges.

The best thing that happened to her was when she met Pasquale. A hard working and handsome young man, who loved a good time and to laugh, the two of them were as different as two people can be, but it’s true that opposites attract and they would go on to enjoy a magical 64-year marriage.

The biggest change in their lives was when they decided to leave their beloved Napoli and immigrate to Canada, a country they knew little about but as they always did, they worked together and created a loving home and life. They enjoyed time with family and friends, often punctuated with Teresa’s wonderful cooking. The heavenly smell of fresh tomato sauce simmering on the stove, with the best meatballs in the world slow cooking in that pot was an absolute treat. Those Sunday family lunches were filled with the smell of fresh baked bread, a hearty plate of pasta and her signature “veal” parm. It was a time we all looked forward to every week and you didn’t dare arrive late or Nonno would be calling you. We cherish those memories that were filled with good food, a full glass of Pasquale’s wine, laughter and fun.

Not only was Teresa a great cook who loved to entertain, but she gave so much of her time to her family. She was a blessing to all of us, and our lives were enriched by her.

Now she will be greatly missed by her children Joe (Filomena), Tony (Joanne) and Anna (Dave). A special thanks to Anna and Dave for the loving care and attention they provided to Mom and Dad since welcoming them into their home years ago.

You’ll never find a person who loved being a Nonna more than Teresa and she could never get enough of her grandchildren Lisamarie (Andre), Patrick (Kristin), Antonio (Gloria), Alexander (Kaitlyn), Stephanie (Nicholas), Natalie and Teresa. She also had great love for her great grandchildren Lucas, Olivia, Hannah and Baby Siciliano, who she predicts is a boy.

She will also be missed by her great friend Lydia DiMatteo who said Teresa was the sister she never had, as well as many nephews and nieces both in Italy and in Canada. Teresa and Pasquale also had many good friends, especially those they enjoyed many an evening with at the Chedoke Bocce Club. Teresa was also a very good bocce player and was a multiple trophy winner.

The family thanks the team of caregivers that offered tremendous guidance and support, especially Dr. Casteluzzo, Dr. Corsini, Dr. Hambly and his associate Daniel, palliative nurse Raman and all of the PSWs.

Visitation will be on Sunday, July 20th, from 2 p.m. till 6 p.m. at Bay Gardens Funeral Home, 947 Rymal Rd E. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of All Souls Church, 21 Barton St. W. on Monday, July 21st, at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Our Lady of All Souls Church, the Canadian Lung Association or a charity of your choice.

“A mamma è sempre a mamma.”