Elisa Lodovica (Pizzicarola) Santin

Nov. 29, 1934 to Dec. 25, 2025

After meeting her many health challenges with the same quiet strength she showed throughout her life, Elisa slipped away peacefully at GNGH on Thursday, December 25th, 2025. Devoted wife of 50 years to the late Principe Arduino Santin (2003). Proud mother of Aldo (Pam Pyke) of Winnipeg, Olga (Joe Grcevic) of Niagara Falls, and Roy (Jenny Ireland) of Toronto. Cherished Nonna to Katrina Grcevic, Paula Smith (Nathan), Jesse Santin (Jenn), Julia Grcevic, Thomas Grcevic (Emily Kestle) and Elisa Santin. Elisa was very excited to have finally become a Bisnonna to Nico Peter Santin and the soon to arrive Baby Smith. Elisa is survived by her siblings Vittoria Gatto (the late Angelo) of Guelph, Arduino Pizzicarola (Janet) of Fort Erie, and her in-laws, Venia Pizzicarola of Toronto, Emilio (Santina) Santin, Primo (Teresina) Santin of Kingston, and Amelia (the late Gino) Morao of Italy. Predeceased by her infant son Domenic (1958) and siblings Antonietta (Giuseppe Tudini, in Italy), Valentino (Assunta) Pizzicarola, Benny Pizzicarola of Toronto, Agnes (Pasquale) Tudini, and in-laws Silvio (Diva) Santin, and Maria Trevisan, Giuseppe Santin, Gemma Santin and Suora Maria Lina, all in Italy. Sadly missed by her many adoring nieces and nephews in Canada and Italy. Elisa was born in Ceprano, Italy to the late Francesco Pizzicarola and Maria Baldinelli. She came to Canada in 1951 with her family to build a better life in Niagara Falls. Elisa met the love of her life when he moved in across the street and they were married in 1953. She had a lifelong passion for learning and taught herself to read, write, sew and especially to bake. She embraced technology and enjoyed her FitBit and iPad. She held many jobs but found her true passion working at Criveller’s Pastries for many years in the bakeshop. She was a proud 50-year member of the CWL at Our Lady of the Scapular Church. She enjoyed travelling with her siblings to Myrtle Beach, Vegas, Cuba and Florida. She never wanted to return to the same place twice and was always up for an adventure and a challenge. Family was everything to her and Elisa was always ready to make her risotto, crostolli or gnocchi for everyone. Her quiet strength of character, her tirelessly strong work ethic, her rare but beautiful giggle and shy smile, her genuine warmth and her ability to make everyone feel heard and loved are some of her qualities which we will miss the most. She was our moral compass and she taught us the importance of loyalty and duty to family and friends. As she grew older and more

confident, the tales of her courage, humour and sass grew with each passing year. If she could leave you with one message it would be to make sure that you do not put off your “bucket list” dreams- surround yourself with those you hold dearest, enjoy every moment and live with no regrets. She was small but mighty right to the end. Friends are invited to call at the Patterson Funeral Home, 6062 Main St., Niagara Falls, with visitations on Friday, January 2nd from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, January 3rd at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Scapular Church, 6557 Thorold Stone Rd. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery. Memorial Donations may be made to Niagara Health Foundation Kidney Care Program or Heart Niagara. For those who cannot attend in person, the funeral will be webcast and can be viewed at www.pattersonfuneralhome.com