Silvana Pagura née Castellarin

Silvana Pagura, aged 91, passed away on August 14, 2026. Born on November 17, 1934, in San Giovanni di Casarsa, Italy, Silvana carried forward a life shaped early by both deep love and real hardship. She was the cherished daughter of her beloved parents, Celeste and Caterina Castellarin, and grew up alongside two older brothers, Don Sergio and Pietro. After the loss of her father when she was only three years old, Silvana remained especially close to her mother, and from a young age showed a steady instinct to help and to shoulder what needed to be done for those she loved.

Silvana had a keen eye for fashion and design—an elegance that never depended on wealth, but on care, taste, and quiet pride. Even in youth, she found ways to bring lightness into life: she would sometimes “fib” to her mother that she was going to the movies, only to go dancing instead, racing home in time for curfew. It was at one of those dances that she met the love of her life, Remigio Pagura, and together they began the story that would define her home and family for decades. They became engaged in 1955. Her loving husband to be Remigio, immigrated to Canada to build a new life for them. Silvana crossed the ocean by boat to join him, arriving in November, and they were married on December 22, 1956.

Together, they endured sorrow and built joy. Their first child, Vivian Pagura, was born in 1960 and passed within her first month of life, a loss that left a lasting ache. In 1962, their bundle of joy Zeno was born, and they purchased the home that would become their lifelong place of gathering and memory-making. Silvana would say Zeno was “buono come il pane,” such a good baby. Marco followed in 1966—“the blondie of the family,” resembling the Pagura clan with his father’s blue eyes and blonde hair. In 1968, Sonia was born, the youngest and only daughter, often called “tremenda” because she wanted to be like her brothers.

Silvana’s days were marked by tireless devotion and a generosity that asked for nothing in return. She met her family’s every need and did so without complaint—steady, resilient, and quietly strong. In countless practical ways, she held life together: a master bookkeeper, sewer, gardener, and cook, she took pride in doing things well, and in doing them for others. Her home was always beautiful—immaculately clean, carefully kept, and filled with the unmistakable comfort of her love. She was famously known for her lasagna, her sugo, an amazing garden filled with roses and Nina Ricci perfume. Every birthday was made special with her beloved lemon cake, a tradition that became part of the family’s shared language of celebration.

Silvana’s family grew with the marriages of Zeno (Irene), Marco (Heather), and Sonia (Trevor), and her joy deepened with the arrival of her grandchildren: Stefan and Katerina (Marco), the twins Chiara and Simone (Sonia), and Alexa and Danielle (Zeno). They brought her happiness, especially through the difficult years following the passing of her husband Remigio in 2005 and her son Zeno in 2019. Silvana remained, as ever, a constant presence—selfless in her care, attentive in her love, and faithful in remembering birthdays, milestones, and the moments that mattered.

Her bond with her grandchildren was rich and tender. Stefan would often call her during work travels around the world just to say, “ciao nonna—I’m calling from …” Katerina would visit to check in on her nonna and ask for advice on “the sugo and lasagna.” The twins were her companions to all sporting events and often referred to her as “la principessa” or “best-friend.” She took profound joy in the marriage of her first grandson, Stefan. Earlier this year, she learned she was going to become a “bis-nonna,” news that delighted her beyond belief—especially knowing the “fagiolino” would be a boy. Though she passed before his birth, she was able to feel him in Giulia’s (Stefan’s wife) belly, a moment that brought her and the family hope and happiness.

Silvana truly was the glue of her family—hard-working, generous, resilient, and deeply beloved. She will be terribly missed by everyone.