Giuliana Zambrano

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our wife, mother, aunt, sister, and wonderful friend Giuliana Zambrano. Giuliana is predeceased by her mother Maria and her father Giulio, her brothers Florio and Vinicio, and sister Liliana. She is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years Giorgio, son Robert (Tracy), daughter Tanya (Terry), her beloved grandchildren, Matteo, Markus, and Siena, her eldest sister, who still resides in Italy, Nadia, and several nieces and nephews in Canada and Italy.

Giuliana was born on April 4, 1945 in Cornuda, Province of Treviso, Italy. The family had a relatively large parcel of land in a nearby hamlet called Nogaré. The youngest of five children, she busied herself around the house but excelled in school, especially in mathematics and languages. At the age of 10 she began to take the bus to Montebelluna, so that she could attend middle school, a rarity to many children in those days.

In 1959 her mother Maria, with Giuliana, now 14, in tow, made the courageous decision to leave her husband and the homestead to join her sons and immigrate to Canada. After a two week journey by ship, they landed in Halifax, were processed, and then endured a 7 day train journey to Vancouver BC.

“Julie” quickly adapted to Canadian life. She learned English quickly and continued to do well in school. She attended Templeton secondary until grade 11, but needed to leave school to help support the family financially. Soon she began to work at the Royal Bank and finished her high school GED at night school.

At 19 she met her husband to be Giorgio, at a soccer dance. At 20 she was married, and at 21 she had her son Robert. At 22, she and Giorgio purchased their house, and at 24 she had her daughter Tanya.

Life was grand in the Zambrano household. Giuliana was an active involved mother with high expectations, who cared deeply for her family. They travelled extensively together, and on day to day basis Giuliana always emphasized the importance of gratitude, perspective and the need to treat others with respect, particularly those who were less privileged or not as fortunate.

While not an extrovert, she enjoyed the company of others, often socializing on Friday and Saturday nights, dancing at banquets, talking about the news or politics, and cooking spectacularly for her friends and family. She loved to read and take care of her beautiful garden. As the years went on, and as her children left, she took care of OJ the cat as her own child, and then she became deeply involved in the lives of her grandchildren. She was fiercely proud of their accomplishments, but more so, elated about the people they had become. In recent years, she continued look after the family and on occasion may have spent some time at the casino.

Over time, Giuliana successfully overcame more than a few instances of cancer. In her final year with us, she valiantly trudged on, battling her latest demon. But alas, she was finally overtaken by the disease and passed early on January 24th, 2026.

Giuliana will be remembered as a strong, modest and honest person, who lived her life with the highest integrity.

Please join us in celebrating her life with Mass and Eulogy at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 2025 Napier St. Vancouver BC. on February 5th at 11am. Reception to follow at the Italian Cultural Center, 3075 Slocan St Vancouver BC, 1pm.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the BC Cancer Foundation and/or the North Shore Hospice.