Amalia (Mae) Gava passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospice on Sunday, September 27, 2015 with her family at her side.
Mae was born on May 15th, 1932 in Port Arthur, Ontario to parents Paul and Augusta Tesolin. She grew up in Hymers on her family’s farm with her two brothers and sister where she was educated at the local school house. She married the love of her life, Al, and moved to Windsor where they raised three daughters. Upon Al’s retirement, they returned to Hymers in 1978. When Al passed away in 2007, Mae remained in Hymers until 2011.
Mae knew and loved when each wildflower bloomed and each robin sang for the first time in spring.
Her love of the outdoors, nature and animals continued throughout her life as she walked, hiked, cycled, skied, and fished. She was intelligent, compassionate and talented. Her door was open to anyone in need of conversation or help of any kind. Mae enjoyed cooking, baking, knitting, needlepoint and many other crafts including wood carving. She was an avid reader and loved doing crossword puzzles. She had a keen interest in genealogy, meticulously recording family births, marriages and deaths. Any project she took on, she did to perfection.
Mae worked on the board to develop the Kay Bee Seniors’ Apartments in Kakabeka Falls. She was active in St. Theresa’s R.C. parish in Kakabeka and later attended St. Patrick’s Cathedral regularly. She was a devoted wife, excellent mother and great friend.
Mae is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Bertha and David Albu of Windsor and their children Sarah (Montreal) and Miles (Victoria) ; daughters Judith (Steve Herchak) and Theresa; sister Rondina Kerkermeier; sister-in-law Margaret Tesolin; sister-in-law Elda Fabris (Mario) of Windsor and seventeen nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Al, parents Paul and Augusta Tesolin, her brothers John and Merico Tesolin, her niece Sandra Cava, brother-in-law Joe Kerkermeier and brother-in-law Phil Gava (Elsie, also deceased).
Vigil Prayers will be Thursday, October 1, 2015, at 6:00 P.M. in the Blake Funeral Chapel with Visitation from 7:-8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 2, 2015 at 3:00 PM, when family and friends will gather for Funeral Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral celebrated by Reverend P.M. Stilla V.G. Services will be complete in the church with cremation to follow. Private family interment will take place at Hymers Riverside Cemetery at a later date.
If friends desire, the family would appreciate that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank Doctors Almond, Dueck, Davis, Harris and Dr. Heather McLeod for the dedicated and wonderful care Mae received throughout her long journey with cancer.
“CORRAGIO SEMPRE”
COURAGE ALWAYS
Amalia Gava will be remembered in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 12, 2016
