Pam Wrigglesworth

Pamela Wrigglesworth (Calaiezzi), age 102, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2023 surrounded by family. She was born on March 28, 1920 in Cochrane, Ontario to Gaetano and Maria (Iazzani) Colaiezzi. She was the 5th of 13 children and grew up on the family farm often caring for her younger siblings.

At the age of 18 she married the love of her life, George James Wrigglesworth (1911-1953), and they had one child, Irene, who they adored. Pam’s life was not without hardship, and in October of 1938, George suffered a tragic accident and became a paraplegic. He was transferred to Toronto for rehabilitation and Pam spent many years traveling back and forth from Cochrane to Toronto to care for him. This is where she discovered her passion for nursing.

In 1955, Pam moved to Toronto with Irene to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. She graduated from one of the first Registered Nursing Assistant (RNA) classes and spent the majority of her 25-year career at Mount Sinai Hospital. The latter part of her professional work was devoted to private duty nursing. She was passionate about her work and took pride in all she did.

Pam always kept herself busy and was a woman of many special talents. She enjoyed ballroom dancing as a member, and gold medalist, of the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Toronto. She was an avid seamstress often making beautiful clothing for herself, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and was gifted at crocheting, knitting, embroidery, ceramics, jewelry making, and painting.

In the late 1970’s after a severe illness, Pam moved to Kitchener, Ontario to be closer to her daughter Irene, and family, where she continued her passion for crafting, gardening, baking, cooking, and making friends. Pam loved to chat and was an active member of the Maple Leaf Smocking Guild and Trinity United Church Crafting Group. She continued to enjoy her hobbies throughout her final years.

Pam was a loving, devoted mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She is survived by her daughter Irene (Ronald) Grozelle; grandchildren, Brant (Rosi Kropf) Grozelle, Heather (Scott) Walton, Jennifer (Barry) West, and Debra (Eugen) Beker; great grandchildren, Shandi Hillgartner, Kristina Hillgartner, Holly (Matthew) Holub, Zachary Walton, Adam Beker, Sarah Beker, Matthew (Katie) Kropf, Justine (Justin Bayer) Kropf, James (Sherri) West, Kurt (Claudia) West, Michelle West; great-great grandchildren, Landon, Lilith, Liam, Kylie, Brock, Wally, Audrey, Barrett, Marshall.

Special thanks to the many friends and staff at Chartwell Westmount Long Term Care Residence for the friendships, kindness, and wonderful care provided to Pam during her time there.

Memorial Visitation will be held at Westmount Memorial Celebration Centre, 1001 Ottawa St. S., Kitchener, (519-743-8900) on Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m., with a service being held in the chapel to follow at 2:00 p.m. Cremation has take place. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations would be appreciated to Spinal Cord Injury Ontario, 520 Sutherland Dr., Toronto, ON M4G 3V9. Online condolences at www.westmountfuneralchapel.com