Clelia Bertolami

From the bushy haired girl born to a seamstress and a factory worker in the Garfagnana mountains of Italy to the bushy haired centenarian in her beloved adopted home in Kelowna Clelia lived a most interesting, challenging and rewarding life. Her adventure started as a young girl when she moved to London with her father Fausto and mother Rosa to venture a restaurant and where Clelia acquired her lifelong British accent. The family's hopes however was shattered as the war changed everything. Clelia then 12 was forced to hide from bombs and endure as her father was taken to a concentration camp leaving Rosa and her to fend for themselves as they were forced back to Italy - which itself was suffering the ravages of war. It was during these perilous times that Clelia experienced fear that no child should ever have to. It is also when Clelia's tough character began to be moulded and ultimately emerged as the spirit that has been admired and loved so much by her family and friends.

While in Italy Clelia became a wife to Sergio Bertolami, a mother to Ilio and began her lifelong passion as a professional teacher. In 1957 the family including Rosa relocated to Canada to join Rosa's brothers Samuele Turri, Pietro Turri and sister Clelia Martinelli which were already established in Kelowna. Clelia's second child Angela was born in 1962.

In 1978 Sergio died unexpectedly while on a holiday to Italy forcing upon Clelia and then 16 year old Angela the sad and lonely return to Kelowna where Sergio was later interred.

Clelia was far too lovely and lovable to go unnoticed and in 1988 married the second love of her life Gianni Bontempo – an adventurous and loving relationship that lasted 20 years until his death in 2008.

In life Clelia had the fine qualities of human nature we will all remember her for as a guide to our own lives. She was interested and interesting, funny and gracious and managed the rare and most admirable achievement of never having made an enemy. Clelia also finished her life on this earth with hope and a smile living to the end her realization that there are only two choices when facing life or death - “fear or love”. Clelia overcame many fears and prevailed to the end for us all to see - with love and gratitude in her heart. God bless you Clelia. We miss your company.

Funeral scheduled for Monday July 6 at 1:00 PM. at St. Pius X. — 1346 Gordon Drive (at the corner of Fuller Avenue) in Kelowna, BC.