Kristina Tantalo

Born in Banki, Istria, Yugoslavia, on September 24, 1943, Kristina was the daughter of Angela and Josip Banko and one of seven siblings.

Kristina carried a natural, unassuming grace, with a quiet strength and dignity that remained with her throughout her life.

At 13 years old, Kristina already dreamed of leaving home in search of a better life. She often remembered sitting beside her mother on their divan beneath an open window and sharing those hopes with her. Her mother listened with sadness, knowing in her heart that if her daughter left, she might never return.

At 19, Kristina did leave.

She and her cousin attempted to escape communist Yugoslavia through the woods toward the Italian border. On their first attempt, they were caught by the authorities and reprimanded. Undeterred, they tried again and successfully crossed the border into Italy.

Among the memories Kristina carried throughout her life was that of a pair of red sandals she left behind in a field with her father. Josip told his daughter he would leave them there in the hopes that she would return to claim them. She never forgot those sandals, nor her father’s words.

Once in Italy, Kristina lived in Rome for about a year. Travelling with her cousin Dana, she later crossed the Atlantic aboard the Saturnia, arriving in Canada on March 9, 1964.

Canada became home.

Kristina came to Canada with plans for her future. She worked hard, and an employer who recognized her potential offered her an opportunity to further her education in health and therapeutic care.

But life had other plans.

Her sister-in-law Nicolina, who was a patient at the clinic, introduced Kristina to her brother, Nunzio Tantalo, of Villa Vallelonga, Abruzzo, Italy. Kristina and Nunzio fell in love, married, and together raised four children: Josephine, Gina, Lina and Remo.

Kristina devoted her life to her husband and children and embraced Nunzio’s Italian family as her own. She spoke Italian beautifully and learned the villachiano dialect of Villa Vallelonga, embracing their customs and traditions.

Her faith remained a constant throughout her life. She believed deeply in God, kept her rosary close, and found strength and comfort in prayer.

Perhaps no role brought her greater joy and pleasure than being Nonna to her grandchildren, Sophia, Erika and Peter. She loved watching them grow.

As Kristina’s health changed in her later years, her world became smaller in some ways, but her family made sure life did not stop. There were outings, family celebrations and little adventures to enjoy good food, good times and always a few laughs.

She leaves behind her children Josephine, Gina and Remo; their spouses, Daniel, Lukas and Natalie; her beloved grandchildren, Sophia, Erika and Peter; her brother Tom and sister Liberta; and extended family here in Toronto and in Croatia. She was predeceased by her husband, Nunzio, and her daughter Lina.

Our family is especially grateful to her sister-in-law Nerina, our Uncle Tom, and to our cousins Josie, Nora and Ilva, whose love, presence and unwavering support meant so much to Kristina and to our family, especially in her later years.

Kristina’s journey began as a young girl in Istria, dreaming of a life beyond the one she knew. It carried her across borders and an ocean, through love, family, & faith; through trials and tribulations and into a life she built with resilience, courage and devotion.

She came a long way from home, and made a beautiful life of it.

Thank you for being our Mamma, our Nonna, for your strength, your grace, your sacrifices, your faith, the lessons you taught us, and a lifetime of love that will remain with us always.

We love you, forever.

Rest in Peace