Albina Szymanski

Predeceased by her beloved husband John. Loving Mother of

Julia (Rocco Scazzariello), Paul (Anne-Marie Widner). Cherished Nonna

of Deanna, Amanda, Isabel, John and Michael. Albina will be loved

and remembered by her extended family and friends. A very special

Thank You for all the loving care and friendship of all the staff of Villa

Forum Long Term Care Residence. Friends may visit at the

Jerrett Funeral Home 1141 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto (1 block east of

Dufferin St.) on Thursday from 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00-9:00pm.

The Funeral Mass will be on Friday, August 1, 2014 at 10:00am at

St. Clare’s Catholic Church, 1118 St. Clair Ave W., Toronto. Entombment

to follow at Prospect Cemetery, 1450 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto.

In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to the Heart

and Stroke Foundation.

Eulogy given at the Funeral for Albina Szymanski

Good Morning,

On behalf of myself and my family, and my Sister, Julia Scazzariello and her family, I would like express a heart-felt thank-you to all of you here today, and to all our other relatives and friends who have expressed their love, support and Prayers at this very sad and difficult time for us, the passing away of my Mother, Albina. I would also like to express a special thank-you to my cousin, Orazio Centofanti and his wife, Carmela, who have spent many hours with us over the past two days and whose presence during this time is very much appreciated.

All of us here today, and all those others who over the past two days have acted to commemorate the memory of, and pay our final Respects to Albina, have done so out of their love for Albina and shows how, in her 95 years, she has been able to touch all of us in some special way.

I will remember Albina as a devoted wife to my Father, John, who in 1980 has pre-deceased her by 34-years, and as a Mother of bottomless love for, and endless commitment to her family as well as her friends. As was common for her generation, Albina was a Homemaker who together with my Father, through their mutual hard work and sacrifice has given Julia and me the opportunity to experience things and achieve goals that were not available to them in their lifetime. For this Julia and I will be eternally grateful.

In speaking to many of you over the past two days, many of us shall remember Albina as a kind and generous person with a big heart. In reflecting upon this point, I provide the following examples of her generosity of spirit.

While growing up I remember that for all visitors invited to our home for a Weekend dinner or Family or Holiday celebration, Albina’s habit was to show her appreciation of our guests by emptying the fridge and kitchen cupboards and cooking practically every morsel of food in the house – the result being an endless array of Appetizers, Entrees and Desserts; some served hot; some served cold; often served simultaneously – intentionally or not – but all served with love. My wife Anne-Marie, who was raised in the Anglo tradition of the well-defined and planned three-course meal, early in our relationship when first introduced to my Mother, found this a perplexing and daunting experience. Nonetheless she soon came to see its true meaning - that it was not a conspiracy on Albina’s part to fatten her up - and happily accepted the gesture.

The company of others gave Albina immense enjoyment. She always enjoyed the presence of Relations and Friends at Weddings, Dances and Festivals. At these functions Albina would often be engaged in endless conversation and laughter with family and friends.

Although Albina did not have the opportunity to receive a formal education beyond elementary school given the limited availability of Public Education in Italy in the 1920’s, and given her humble yet honourable career as a Homemaker, you may be surprised to hear that I will also remember Albina as a rather knowledgeable and Worldly person with friends in high places.

Upon arriving in Canada in the mid-1950’s and with the advent of the then technological marvel of Black-and-White Television with Rabbit Ears, Albina became very well informed of current events, National and International politics, and her beloved National Hockey League team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Growing up I recollect Albina’s passion for progressive policies that promoted the caring for others. In discussing current events Albina would often refer to political leaders she especially liked as personal friends, culminating in her favourite imagined friendship with Jean Chretien.

The final example of Albina’s spirit of generosity I would like to mention is her deep and unconditional love of her Grandchildren; Deanna, Amanda, Isabel, John and Michael. Albina’s relationship with her Grandchildren is the greatest testimony of her generosity and love. Whether as a child, teen or adult, the Grandchildren have always understood their foremost place in Nonna’s heart. In the case of my children, Isabel, John and Michael have fond memories of visiting Nonna’s home and being treated to her wonderful comfort food. Their favourite was her delicious shell pasta sautéed in butter, onions and parmesan. In recent years since Nonna became unable to cook, my children continue to ask me to cook them a pasta lunch the way Nonna did. These simple memories are indicative of the deeper love between them and Nonna.

In closing, I provide a few select words from Notes that Isabel, John, and Michael have each written to Nonna and which they placed in her casket today:

From Isabel:

Dear Nonna, you were always by my side and I know you still will be. … Every time I went to visit you, you would be just so happy it would make me smile. I would do anything just to hold your hand one more time. … I pray that God protects you and that you continue to be happy.

From John:

My Darling Nonna, as you enter your Heavenly home may you rest in peace as you greatly deserve. … We love you always and forever and may God be with you.

From Michael:

Dear Nonna, you have been a very lucky charm to me. … You are in a better place now with your husband John, your other friends and Jesus. … I will never forget you.

Albina, we love you, we cherish your memory, and we Pray for you.

Amen.