November 2, 2024
In loving memory ~
Dear Friends,
With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our much loved mother, nona, friend, and neighbour, Amabile Lorenzina De Pieri (Soligo) November 2nd. Born in Trevignano, Italy, Mum would have been 91, February 10th.
Renza, her preferred name, met her soon to be spouse, Aldo in 1956, and after a quick, forty-day engagement, they married in Casier, Italy. Shortly afterwards, they planned their emigration to Western Canada. A one month stay in Vancouver, and relatives told our parents of Cominco in Trail, so, in their 49 Meteor, they were down that winding road again heading East this time.
While renting in the gulch, they decided they would build their first home in Beaver Falls. There they raised three rambunctious boys. Mum became very good at the game called, "Vuoi un altro schiaffo?" Yes, we were a handful. Renza soon became the neighbourhood mom, and accepted our friends into the household with food and smiles. Our friends were so very respectful to our mom, because she was kind to them, and so it was reciprocated.
Mum was a superb homemaker who loved everything about running a household. She would buy yards of fabric, make her own beautiful clothes, Hawaiian shirts for the boys, and outfits for her two grand children, Olivia and Mikylo. We had animals of all sorts, and she was caretaker of those critters as well. Dancing elegantly with dad at the Eagles on weekends was their true passion. Folks would comment on their ability to float across the dance floor. Bingo, bowling, playing cards, and entertaining in their new home in Fruitvale, started to round out their senior years. They were members of the Eagles, Columbo Lodge, Italo Canadese, and devote Catholics at St. Rita's Parish.
In 2006, our parents moved to the lower mainland. Dad passed in May, 2010. Mum spent 14 years in Ladner, her final 2-1/2 years were at Seton Villa Retirement Centre in Burnaby. Staff told us it was her mandate to make sure no one entered the building without first being greeted by this lovely, caring, and enthusiastic 90 year old woman. Seton Villa has many Italians, she made many new friends, and kept herself busy. The staff loved mum, her energy, and her need to comfort newcomers.
Mum is survived by Gilbert, Larry, David (Anita) with Olivia and Mikylo(Olivia) yes another Olivia, and mother of the grandkids, Susy Baranszky-Job. In Italy, her brothers, sister, and in-laws have all passed, she also leaves behind many relatives still living there. Aldo, and two brothers were three of nine siblings that moved to Canada, and Mum, the only one of four siblings that came out this way.
She is predeceased by her beloved Aldo. In Italy, her eldest brother Renzo died at 100 last year, and her older brother and sister (twins) Siro and Samaritana, passed in their late 80's
Mum always said in Italian, "make the effort to hold friends, and loved ones close, talk with them often !" She lived by those words I'm now finding out.
Thank you very much to the staff at Seton Villa, hospital staff at Burnaby General & Royal Columbian. Charitable donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.