With profound sadness and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of a remarkable woman whose life was defined by resilience, grace, and unconditional love. Lina Fortino, at the age of 85, passed away peacefully on August 30th, 2025, surrounded by her children.

Beloved wife of the late Alfredo Fortino, Lina is survived by her adoring children: Mary Jane and her husband, Ray Di Gregorio, Candida and her husband, Armand Pitton, and Claudio Fortino and his wife, Marlynn. Precious and loved nonna of Daniel, Bianca (Robert John), Johnny (Jessica), Sara (Frank), Carla (Matthew), Eva (Ben), Michael, Mark (Sylvia), Steven (Abby). Cherished bisnonna of Rocco, Stella, Sofia, Armando, Bruno, Zoe, Mia, Johnny, and Domenic. Dearly loved daughter and daughter-in-law of Sante and Angela Muraca, and Michele and Maria Fortino. Dear sister and sister-in-law of the late Rosina and the late Eugenio Beltrano, the late Emilio Muraca and Laura, Laura and the late Mario Muraca, the late Gina and the late Orlando Maniccia, Dora and the late Umberto Gatto, Carmine and the late Rita Muraca, Ada and the late Nino Lico, the late Marianna and the late Eugenio Filice of Donnici, Italy; the late Angela and the late Stanislao Spina; the late Roberto Fortino and Marianna, the late Eugenio Fortino and Lidia, Anna and the late Eugenio Fortino, and Carmine and Liliana Fortino. Lina will be sadly missed by many nieces, nephews, and friends in both Canada and Italy.

Lina was born in Donnici, Italy. In 1959, with her husband and newborn child, Lina left her small town to seek prosperity in Canada. Without a selfish bone in her body, she raised her family with wonderful traditions and strong family values.

While Lina valued her time as a supervisor at the Arrow Shirts factory in Hamilton, her greatest pride were her three children who benefited from her wisdom, positivity, and unwavering love. She would often say, “God will provide” or “God gotta help” and, her favourite, “As long as you have your health, you have everything.” These phrases undoubtedly characterized her strength, resilience, and optimism, and taught her children to weather any storm or challenge that came their way. Lina always said she was the richest person in the world because of her family and was always happiest when surrounded by her loved ones. She loved to cook for everyone, often inviting not only her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, but also extended family and friends for dinner, where she would cook a delicious eight-course meal.

Lina also had a special gift for making the ordinary feel magical, especially during the holidays. Christmas was her favourite time of year-a season she infused with joy, tradition, and togetherness. From handmade decorations to favourite recipes, she created memories that became a cherished tradition. Her ‘presepio,’ or nativity scene that occupied most of the living room where family gathered and enjoyed laughter, will become a treasured memory. The ‘presepio,’ for Lina, symbolized not only the meaning of Christmas, but also the importance of family, love, and home.

Lina had a gift for bringing beauty into her corner of the world-whether through her vibrant floral pots and flower garden, and bounteous vegetable garden, her lovingly decorated home at Christmas, or the care she put into her cooking and baking. A creative spirit in every sense, she found pleasure in making things by hand. A self-taught seamstress, she crafted clothes, costumes, and one-of-a-kind pieces for herself and her family. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren are blessed to have a precious heirloom crocheted, knitted, or sewn by their very special mom, nonna, and bisnonna Lina.

The loss of Lina will leave a huge void in our family, but the impact of her love and strength will remain in our hearts. Her legacy lives on in the lives she shaped, the traditions she built, and the love she gave so freely.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful staff and volunteers of Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice for their compassionate care and for providing our mother with comfort and dignity during her final days.

Visitation at Bay Gardens Funeral Home, “William J. Markey Chapel,” 947 Rymal Road East, Hamilton, Ontario on Friday, September 5 from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Catherine of Siena, 620 Rymal Road East, Hamilton on Saturday, September 6th at 9:30am. Entombment to follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, 254 Garner Road West, Ancaster. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lina’s memory may be made to the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice or the Cancer Assistance Program. Online condolences can be made to www.baygardens.ca