Antonina was predeceased by her loving parents and many loving uncles, aunts and cousins.
She is lovingly survived by her husband, Benito, her son Ben and his wife Cathy and their daughter Giorgia (Antonina’s special little granddaughter). Antonina is also survived by her sister Anna and her family: Vincenzo (brother-in-law), Vincent (nephew), Ampellia (niece), Colin (nephew-in-law), Sierra (grandniece) and Brandon (grandnephew). Antonina is also blessed to be survived by many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and close friends.
Antonina was born in 1940 in a little village named Poggio Picenze, high in the foothills of the Gran Sasso, the highest peak in the Apennine mountain chain in the Province of L’Aquila in the region of Abruzzo, Italy.
Life was hard in Italy during World War II, but Antonina and her family did the best they could to survive, especially after the early passing of her father from tuberculosis. After the war, Antonina studied dressmaking and became an accomplished seamstress and dress designer.
In the early 1960s Antonina joined her young fiancé, Benito, who had immigrated to Canada from Poggio a few years earlier. Together with their newly immigrated extended family they built a good life in Canada. They settled in Richmond, BC and Benito and Antonina opened a hair salon (House of Ferrari Coiffures) with Anna and her family that quickly became the talk of the small city. Antonina spent her days at the salon taking care of the needs of her customers; washing hair, doing perms and doing a lot of listening. The salon remained in business for over 20 years and enabled Antonina to make many quick friends from the staff and clients.
In retirement Antonina loved to sew, knit, crochet and cook for friends and family. She also loved to watch great movies on tv with her dog Lupa and cat Smokey by her side.
Antonina was a humble, quiet, incredibly hard working and resilient person. She loved her family and always put their needs before her own. Nothing pleased her more than just being around her family, listening to the conversation intently. She will be greatly missed.
Antonina’s family would like to thank the great staff at St. Vincent’s Extended Care Home where Antonina resided for two years until her passing. They would also like to thank Joy, Antonina’s wonderful caregiver, whose exceptional service and dedication to Antonina comforted her until her passing.
A closed, private memorial service and Catholic Mass will be held in April 2020 at Oceanview Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Parkinson’s Society BC (www.parkinson.bc.ca) in lieu of flowers.
Arrangements entrusted to Ocean View Funeral Home (www.oceanviewfuneral.com).
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