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It is with deep sorrow that the family of Marlene Racco announces her passing on Monday, October 9, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Hospice, surrounded by her loving family, after a short, but courageous battle with cancer.  Born on December 12, 1937 in Fort William, Ontario, Marlene was the oldest daughter of Richard and Jean Ylinen and grew up in the East End.

 She attended school and later worked as a Registered Nurses Assistant  at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Marlene married the love of her life, Cosimo, on April 21, 1956.  Devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, family was the most important thing in her life.  Marlene enjoyed travelling to Mexico during the winter months and Italy during the summer months.  Curling was a passion of hers and she enjoyed playing and watching it on television.  Marlene enjoyed cooking for her family.  She loved making perogies and cabbage rolls with her sister Carol and her fresh bread was a family favourite.  Marlene spent countless hours watching her grandchildren play in the yard and there was nothing that she loved more than the smell of fresh bed sheets off the clothesline.

Lovingly remembered by her husband of 61 years, Cosimo, daughter Palmira (Fortunato) Michelizzi, sons, Richard (Irene), Tony (Angela), Robert (Marisa), grandchildren Robert (Rosie), Cosimo (Victoria), Manuela (Byron), Marlena (Kevin), Rosanne (Frank), Daniela (Bryan), Christopher, Cosimo (Shannon), CJ (Robyn), Jonathan (Lesley), and Daniel, great grandchildren, Ava, Makaila, Marianna, Mirella, Jamie, Emilia, Marcello, Henry, Joelleen, Leo, and Amaria, sister Carol Hobischak and niece Jennifer.  Also surviving are many brother and sister-in-laws, and nieces and nephews in Thunder Bay and the United States.

The people who cared and loved her, fulfilled her life. Her peaceful death will be complete now joined by the family who went before her. Parents, Jean and Richard Ylinen, Mother and Father-in-law Palma and Rocco Racco, and numerous relatives.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 13, 2017when family and friends will gather for Funeral Mass at 10:00am, at St. Dominic's Church celebrated by Rev. Maurizio Maifredi c.s. Private family interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will start Thursday October 12, 2017 at 7:30 pm with prayers to be offered at  8:00pm in St. Dominic's Church.  If friends desire, memorials to the Northern Cancer Fund would be appreciated.

You fought as hard as you could, but you were tired and the Lord called you home where you could be at rest.  We love you dearly and will miss you more than words, but we know your love will be guiding us, until we meet again.

She enjoyed the company of family and friends, especially during the holidays and special occasions.




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