Passed in the early morning hours of May 29, 2025 at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, with her family at her bedside. Her last day was spent in her yard doing what she loved to do and chatting with neighbours.
Family was always of utmost importance to her throughout her life and it was difficult for her to leave hers behind, in Italy, to embark on a new journey to her new life here in Canada. She persevered through language barriers, cultural barriers and many other hardships with one focus in mind, to build a new life, a new home and to start a new family of her own.
She spent most of her working life at the Hospital for Sick Children. She knew how precious children were and always had a soft spot in her heart for “the poor little kiddies” as she used to call them. Her fondness for young children extended beyond her work at the hospital to many young members of any family and often even included their cats and dogs as well. There were however, none more precious than her own children, her grandchildren and her great grandson. They remained the light of her life to the very end.
Even later in life Elsa navigated through the loss of her husband of over 50 years, many health challenges and the greatest loss of all, the passing of her youngest son. Despite all of this her devotion to family remained unwavering. She was a woman of pure grit, who led by example, always working and saving, oftentimes depriving herself so that her family could prosper and flourish. There was nothing that brought her more joy than watching them grow and succeed.
Elsa always cherished old friends and welcomed new members into her family circle. Her legacy to all of us is the life that she struggled to build, the family she inspired, the values she instilled in all of us to carry on her legacy. We will miss your great stories, your infectious laugh, your steadfast determination in all you did and above all, your love and support of family.
Elsa is survived by her son Livio (Rose), Beverly (Walter’s Spouse), her grandchildren, Emily, Nicholas, Victor (Denise) and great grandson, Anthony. Elsa is predeceased by her husband, Francesco and her son Walter.
May you rest in peace.
We extend our thanks to the EMS workers and to the doctors and staff at Sunnybrook that made a valiant attempt to save her for us that night and for their compassion in guiding us through her final hours.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to, The Heart and Stroke Foundation or to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
Funeral Details
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Visitation
Pine Hills Cemetery & Funeral Centre
625 Birchmount Road, Toronto, ON, CANADA, M1K 1R1
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Thursday, 5 Jun 2025 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Visitation
Pine Hills Cemetery & Funeral Centre
625 Birchmount Road, Toronto, ON, CANADA, M1K 1R1
Get Directions
Friday, 6 Jun 2025 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Funeral
Pine Hills Cemetery & Funeral Centre
625 Birchmount Road, Toronto, ON, CANADA, M1K 1R1
Get Directions
Friday, 6 Jun 2025 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Burial
Pine Hills Cemetery & Funeral Centre
625 Birchmount Road, Toronto, ON, CANADA, M1K 1R1
Get Directions
Friday, 6 Jun 2025 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Reception
Pine Hills Cemetery & Funeral Centre
625 Birchmount Road, Toronto, ON, CANADA, M1K 1R1
Get Directions