Anna Vasanelli

It is with immense sadness that the family of Anna Vasanelli, age 86 years, announces her passing on April 16th, 2018 at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. 

Anna was born in Belvedere Marina, Italy to the late Vincenzo and Francesca Sottile. Anna came to Thunder Bay originally in 1948 with her family. She was the eldest of seven children and helped care for her younger siblings. She worked as seamstress in Thunder Bay and learned to speak English. In 1958, she went back to Italy on a vacation with her brother Jerry. During the vacation, she met her future husband Pietro Vasanelli and decided to not return to Canada in order to marry the love of her life Pietro in Italy on October 29th, 1960 and had four daughters before immigrating to Thunder Bay in 1969, where they welcomed another daughter to the family shortly after. The family lived on Secord Street and Algoma Street in the early days, where they made lifelong friends and blended into the Italian community, many of whom were immigrants. 

Anna was a committed wife, mother and nonna. She loved cooking, her garden and travelling with her brother Danny. In her later years, Anna enjoyed going out for lunches with her daughters and never missed a Blue Jays game.

Her grandchildren were the most important people in her life. She was proud of them and took time to make their favourite food. She had many ailments in her life but her resilience, courage and strength kept her moving forward and always taking care of others. After her husband Pietro had a debilitating stroke she spent the next 13 years caring for him until his death in 2014.

Anna will never be forgotten by her daughters Maria Vasanelli (Bruce Livingston), Francesca Vasanelli, Daniela Galloway (Iain), Silvana Vasanelli and Manuela Nichols (James); her grandchildren Bianca, Marc, Hunter, Connor, Emily and Ethan, her brothers Jerry Sottile, Danny Sottile (Barbara), Sante Sottile (Irene), her sister-in-law Netti, Shane and sister Mary Polhill (Brian) nieces and nephews, Vince, Janet, Dana, Kathy, Caroline, Rob, Beth, Steve & Nick and numerous nieces and nephews in Italy. 

Anna was predeceased by her parents, her brothers Aldo and Peter, her nephew Danny Sottile, her sister-in-law Loretta and her loving husband Pietro.

Funeral Services for Anna will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday April 21st, 2018 in the Chapel of the HARBOURVIEW FUNERAL CENTRE, 499 North Cumberland Street, officiated by Fr. James Panikulam of St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church. Visitation for family and friends will be offered one hour prior to service time (2:00pm). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Liver Foundation at https://www.liver.ca/how-you-help/ways-to-donate/ would be greatly appreciated.