Anna Maria Felicella

Anna leaves behind her beloved husband of 62 years, Mario Felicella; her three children: Mario Jr. Felicella, Franco (Rita) Felicella, and Franca (Blair) McFayden; and her eight grandchildren: Cassius, Ines, Talia, Gianna, Rocco, Massimo, Connor, and Shaelyn. She is also survived by her great-grandson, Finley.

She was predeceased by her brother, Romano (Lillian) Giusti.

Anna was born on May 16, 1940, to Antonio and Angela Giusti in Volpago del Montello, Italy. She immigrated to Canada in 1949 with her mother and brother Romano to join her father, Antonio, and settled in Vancouver's Chinatown. While a proud Canadian, she never forgot her Italian heritage.

After high school, Anna began her modelling career as a young woman in downtown Vancouver. Her innate style and passion for design made her a true tastemaker. A woman of many talents, Anna had a gift for sewing, from dresses to drapes to her grandchildren's Halloween costumes. Anna left her creative touch everywhere and it showed in every home she lived in.

Her talents extended beyond sewing into the kitchen, where she created Neapolitan and Venetian culinary masterpieces. Nothing brought Anna greater joy than sharing a beautiful meal with those closest to her and passing on her cherished traditions to her family.

A devoted wife and mother, Anna was a proud homemaker to her husband and three children. Although busy at home, she always found time to give back to her community. From teaching Italian cooking classes at Little Flower Academy, to hosting La Scala at Expo 86, and volunteering with Catholic nuns in the Downtown Eastside; she was driven to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

Anna was a force to be reckoned with. A true leader, she stood firm in her values and spoke with honesty, integrity, and wisdom. Her presence was impossible to ignore, and she always treated everyone with compassion, empathy, and respect.

Today, we mourn the passing of a precious soul as she begins her journey into eternal life. Knowing how deeply she was loved, we will honour her memory with grace and dignity.

The Funeral for Anna Maria Felicella will take place at Holy Name of Jesus Parish Roman Catholic Church, 4925 Cambie Street, Vancouver, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Children's Hospital.

www.bcchf.ca