It was on the evening of December 8th that our much beloved mother and nonna, Leonilda Evelina (Costantino) Stilla returned to the Lord. She passed on the feastday of Mary’s Immaculate Conception, the Patroness of the town of Grimaldi (Cosenza) Italy, where she was born almost 96 years ago to Vincenzo and Maria Costantino, on March 17, 1925.
It was in that same town that, as a teen, Leonilda first discovered her natural talent and love of sewing, the art of a skilled seamstress which she continued to cherish and to practise for most of her life. She was thrilled to teach that same skill to her daughter, Paola and to her granddaughters, Teana and Evalina and for many family members and friends she sewed bridal gowns, fashionable formal attire, festive dresses and even priests’ vestments, over the years.
In Grimaldi, she married Emilio Stilla on June 10, 1950. Like many others from the same region, he immigrated to Canada to prepare a place for his family, which would join him in Port Arthur, shortly after the birth of their first son, Pasquale in 1951. Then, in 1954 their second son, Vincent was born into the family and, in 1968, a beautiful daughter Paola, who sadly passed away in 2005. Being surrounded with family and good friends was always the pride and joy of Leonilda and her daughter’s death in 2005 and the death of her husband in 1993 were truly heartbreaking events for her.
A very inspiring, charitable and unassuming woman of strong Faith, Leonilda was a practising parishioner of St. Anthony’s Parish all of her life and she especially enjoyed her long time close relationship with her many League sisters of St. Anthony’s Catholic Women’s League, who continued to pray for her and supported her throughout her illness. She enjoyed gathering with them and with other groups to donate her time and talents whenever she was able.
She will be greatly missed by her sons, Msgr. Pasquale “Pat” Stilla and Vince (Ann) and their sons Ryan (Kristen Welch) and Daniel (Alyssa Parsons), by her son-in-law, Maurizio Sacchetti and his children Teana, Evalina and Francesco. Also left to remember their special aunt are her nieces Almerina McLeod, Lillian Fedell and Mary Sacco, and her nephews Vince (Wanda), Frank, Pasquale (Peggy) and Albert (Casey) Stilla, Vinicio Bacci, Amerigo Coltellaro and Rosario “Ross” Sacco along with her brother Michael Cuzzetto in Toronto and cousin, Joe Abate of Atikokan and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins throughout Canada and Italy. She will also be missed by her two close friends, Mariette LeMesurier and Monica Osadec, who were always there for her.
Leonilda was predeceased by her husband Emilio (1992), her precious daughter Paola (2005) and parents, Vincenzo and Maria Costantino, her close sisters, Battistina Barone, Anna Sacco, Nella Gambaretto and Yolanda Costantino, brothers-in-law Francesco, Rosalbino and Gennaro Stilla, in Thunder Bay and Antonio Barone, Francesco Sacco, Fiorillo Gambaretto and by many other family members in the Stilla and Costantino families including her special nieces Rosa Coltellaro and Ada Bacci.
Leonilda’s Funeral Mass will be concelebrated on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Patrick’s Cathedral by Most Rev. F. J. Colli, Bishop of Thunder Bay, by her son Rev. Msgr. P. M. Stilla and by priests who serve in our Diocese, followed by a private entombment at St. Andrew’s Cemetery.
Due to Covid 19 restrictions, seating will be limited with reservations to be made in advance. For those who wish to attend in person, please call Harbourview Funeral Centre at 346-9880. Alternatively, please visit www.harbourviewfuneral.ca to view the services live or at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the charity of your choice, St. Patrick's Cathedral or St. Anthony's Church would be appreciated.
