Elsa Garbuio

Loving mother of, and now reunited, with John (Mildred) and Diane (Roberto). Elsa will be sorely missed by her son David (Lisa). Everlasting and numerous cherished memories among her eight grandchildren spanned over four decades. She was fortunate enough to have seven great-grandchildren.

Born on a family farm in the hamlet of Fanzolo, Trevisio, Italy, Elsa made the journey to Canada aboard the Conte Biancamano landing in Halifax October 1951 with her infant son John. They rejoined Angelo in Guelph who arrived earlier in Montreal as a farmhand. Living on Queen St. and then Morris St., near Gatti’s Meats, the small family began their roots. Five years later, Diane was born and the family stepped out from, what we affectionately call the Ward, to build a home on Grange St. backing on to Franchetto’s farm. Elsa lived there until her 90th year of age. There Elsa prepared countless meals for her family and friends. Despite the kitchen table being the size of a cracker, inconceivably, it accommodated a growing extended family, cousins, and grandchildren. A small pause; in 1967, the family of four visited Italy to meet Elsa’s sister Cecilia, brother-in law Albino, nephews Valerio and Lino. The visit yielded, unknowingly to all save Elsa and Angelo, an un-named, fifth, well-hidden passenger back to Canada later named David.

Elsa’s joy was her vegetable and flower gardens. Views of these gardens seemed somewhat haphazard with old planks and rugs flanking the perimeter to keep weeds down, broken sticks and broom handles as stakes to make the sowing of seeds as straight as possible, broken garden implements tied together to serve a continuing purpose, and a variety of fruit trees darting in every which direction. The seeds of vibrant astrid, sweet williams, and tomatoes were rumoured to come from the old country, with some, certainly exchanged among neighbours. It would be common to see Elsa exit the detached single car garage heading to the 30ft plot donning a straw hat, a pair of back heel flattened shoes gaining a second life, a garden tool in hand taken from what seemed to be an unorganized arrangement of paper bags, reused paper envelopes, and Sanka coffee cans, all of them containing seeds. Elsa repeated many times ‘I am just a contadina’; a farmer girl. Idle time was kept from her hands as she crafted hundreds of bespoke knitted infant sets complete with handmade pom-pom fitted cap and boots. Undoubtedly, they may be found in many homes as keepsakes. Frequently, while crafting, eyes flickering back and forth from the criss-crossing of knitting needles to the television sporting the Toronto Maple Leafs, Elsa would quip that too much effort was expended by the Leafs, in her dialect, throwing ‘packeh and pooneh’ (smashing and punches). It would likely prove that she most enjoyed that part the game. Grange street provided a vantage point on the front porch to greet many people as they walked by and stop to have some idle chatter about everything and anything unimportant. As time passed, her spirit was chipped away, her fingers tired of weaving the knitting needles, weeds in the garden became a heavy burden, and, people passing on the street declined. She moved to The Elliot Community insisting she remain there until she could not.

Words are not adequate to express our deep gratitude and heartfelt thanks toward all staff members of 4th Floor Nottingham at The Elliot Community for taking care of mom during the last six years. In particular, the dignity and compassion shown during her last 3 days until the very moment she left us was remarkable. Thank you.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, May 21 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Funeral Home, 252 Dublin St. N. Guelph. A Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, May 22 at 10:30 am, at Holy Rosary Church, 175 Emma St. Guelph, followed by interment at Marymount Cemetery.