It is with profound sadness that the family of Giuseppina Colaneri (nee Notaro) announces her passing on Thursday, December 31, 2015 in St. Joseph's Hospital, with her family at her side and in their prayers.
Giuseppina Notaro was born on March 18, 1935 in Castelmauro, Italy to parents Michele and Maria. She left her home and much of her family and journeyed to Canada in 1958, with her husband Giovanni Colaneri, to start a family and begin a new life. Over the last 57 years, with hard work, they were very successful at building that new life into something special – a large community of family and friends. To everyone who knew Giuseppina, (or Josephine), she was a genuine and beautiful part of that journey.
She is survived by her loving husband Giovanni Colaneri; daughter Marie Hogan (Michael) with grandchildren Adam, Stefanie (Tyler) and Lisa, son Antonio (Kerry), son Lorenzo (Helen) with grandchildren Emma and Rubi and son Michael (Chrisandra) with grandson Liam. She is also survived by her brother Nicole in Castelmauro, Italy, brother Pasqualino (Maria) in Perth, Australia, sister-in-law Theresa Cianfagna, sister-in-law Filomena Petta, brother-in-law Stefano Colaneri, sister-in-law Antonietta Sticca as well as many cousins, nephews, nieces and close friends.
She was predeceased by her parents, brother Michele, brother-in-law Giuseppe Cianfagna, brother-in-law Alfonso Petta, brother-in-law Mario Sticca and sister-in-law Theresa Colaneri.
Giuseppina was a very loving and giving person to her family and to all who entered her home. Everyone loved her cooking, baking and visiting her neat-as-a-pin home.
Her greatest joy, as evidenced by her beaming smiles, was when she saw her grandchildren. They all knew how to get their Nonna to spoil them and what cupboards to search for her treats. In reality though, it was they who spoiled Nonna – with no more than just a simple hug and kiss.
She enjoyed putting on large family gatherings, ensuring nobody left having room for more to eat. When coming home from a night out, all of her son's friends would make sure to drop them off first, so they could get some of whatever was left over on the stove for them. She was also called on for her baking for many bridal showers and other events. She was even known to fly some hot fresh food to one of her sons who was working out of town to make sure he was eating well.
To Guiseppina, everything was about family and friends – whether hosting events at home or traveling abroad to visit her brothers or even calling any of them to say hello. She was always preparing for something – whether making tomato sauce, sausage, helping with wine, preparing the many preserves from vegetables from the garden or just knitting, sewing and picking up something for her children and grandchildren.
When the daily work for this was done, Giuseppina would enjoy warm nights just sitting at the front of the house looking over the neighbourhood, saying hello and talking to neighbours or just saying hi to those walking by.
This was our wife, mother, nonna, sister, sister-in-law and aunt.
Everyone who knew her knows why she was so special and why we love her so much.
Special thank you to Lillian (niece) and Barry Catton, Dr. Habjan, Cheryl McDonald, the wonderful staff at CCAC and 2B at TBRHSC as well as the great nurses at Dawson Court and St. Joseph’s. Together, you provided both mom and our family great comfort.
Funeral Services for the late Mrs. Giuseppina Colaneri will be held on Tuesday, January 5, 2015 leaving the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James at 10:40am to St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church for the Funeral Mass at 11:00am, celebrated by Father Thomas Mullamangalam. Interment will follow in St. Andrew's Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday evening from 6:00pm until 8:00pm in the Chapel, with Prayers offered at 7:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Giuseppina Colaneri (or Josephine if you prefer) to the Ontario Lung Association, the Alzheimer Society or to a charity of your choice is greatly appreciated.
