Celeste Clorinda De Lorenzi (Galluccio)

It is with heavy hearts that we share that our mother Celeste Clorinda De Lorenzi (Galluccio) has joined our beloved father, Felice, in heaven. We are sure he greeted her with a song and a smile.

Clorinda was born in Napoli, Italy on October 16 to Bartolomeo Galluccio and Carolina Silvestri. She came to Canada to see her sisters, met our rock ‘n roll-loving father with a heart of gold, and decided to make Canada her home. After our Nonno Galluccio gave his seal of approval our parents were married. They had 3 children: Maria, Anthony and Carole. Life seemed complete, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. Shortly into their marriage our father passed away and life’s biggest challenge for our mother began. In the following years our mother carved out a life for us all and she fought for her independence with every bit of strength she had.

Life continued and our mother received her greatest gifts, her grandchildren Michael, Alexyss Sean and Maresa. She would often be heard saying that if she could have skipped children and gone straight to being a Nonna she would have. They were her heart. Michael completed her joy by giving her 2 great grandchildren, Sophia and Dominic. She shared her love of cooking and her Italian culture with all her family and with many new Canadians. Her baking was her specialty, in particular her Sfogliatelle and Roccoco - Italian pastries she and her sister Giovanna would often share. You never left her home without a full belly and containers filled with sauce, soup, and her delicious baking. Her generosity with everyone was well known. She was not like other Nonna’s. What set our mother and Nonna apart from others was her fierce independence and her sense of style. She showed us all that we could do anything with grit and determination and made no apologies. She was a fighter and a fierce defender of her children and her life. She was also a lady. She never left home without her nails done, heels on and her purse on her arm.

As Mom’s health began to deteriorate, she entered long term care. This was by far the most difficult thing she ever did. She persisted in making her own path and she shared her culture and stories of her life with the staff. She continued to be a lady in Lakehead Manor with her nails done and purse with her. Staff often spoke of her humour and stubbornness. She lived her life on her own terms, needing no one’s permission.

She leaves behind her children Maria, Tony, Carole (Marco), and her beloved grandchildren Michael (Jacqueline), Alexyss (Trenton), Sean and Maresa, as well as her treasured great grandchildren, Sophia and Dominic, who made sure she felt their love for her until her last days. Also grieving her loss are her sisters Anna Perni (Italy), Maria Iacobucci and Linda Pilato (Canada), and their families; her sisters in law Adelina (Douglas), Delia (Don), and their families. She also leaves many other family members in Canada and Italy. She was predeceased by her husband, Felice. Our mother lost many people over the years: her parents, siblings, in laws and family too numerous to mention but most recently her beloved sister, Giovanna, who stuck with her no matter what. Mom never forgot any of them.

It is with so much gratitude and respect that we would like to thank the Staff of Lakehead Manor, especially Helen aka Lena, Shannon, Carrie aka Molly and Dr Ruby. Your care and respect made this time easier for her and for us to bear. Special thanks to our cousin, Regina, for her kindness to our mother while she lived at LMS. In her last days many people, from the custodians to other residents, all stopped in to say hello or ask how she was. She is at peace now.
At her request, funeral services for our mother will be private for family only. Please have a glass of vino, a pastry, and toast life with a smile and a ‘saluti’ in her honour. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Northern Cancer Foundation, Ronald McDonald house in Toronto, or a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.

‘La vita e bella’ she would tell you; ‘Live it like a lady.’