Iolanda Angelina Nardi

With deep sadness and much love, we announce the peaceful passing of our mother Iolanda on April 23rd, 2025. She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Giuseppe. She is lovingly remembered by sons Frank (Maria), Tony (Rita) and Fred (Suzanne), 9 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and extended family.

Iolanda Angelina was born to Rosina (née Porco) and Pietro Domenico Bastone in Carolei, Cosenza a small town in Calabria. At 26, she and her two sons, 4-year-old Frank and 1 year old Tony immigrated to Canada to join her husband, Giuseppe. They boarded the SS Roma in Naples in January 1954, for a nine-day voyage across the Atlantic, to Pier 21, Halifax. They travelled to Vancouver by train, an arduous winter journey.

Once in Vancouver, Mom immediately started working at Surrey Classics Garment Factory in Gastown, where she made many friends. Mom and Dad made a life starting in an old home in Cedar Cottage before moving to Kitsilano in 1957 where in 1959 the family was joined by her youngest son, Fred. Hard work to help support the family was a constant in mom’s life, but mom was determined to ensure that her children had the best possible childhood and education. To that end she enlisted the help of her older sister Giuseppina. It was a mutual support system, Iolanda loved her nieces and nephews as her own children and her sister returned the favour. She was the strong and critical foundation for our family of five; a calm and constant presence, bringing a strong faith into our lives and offering support and love beyond measure. That love continued through the generations as she welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren, with great pride.

She was an avid reader, particularly books of faith written in Italian. She loved life’s simple pleasures and was happiest at home, relaxing with her family and of course cooking for her children. She never forgot a birthday. She will be greatly missed, yet she will always be remembered for her beautiful smile, her kindness, her warmth, and her generous and unconditional love.

A Prayer service will take place on Thursday May 1, 2025 at 7:30 pm, at St. Augustine Church 2028 West 7th ave. Vancouver. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine's, on Friday May 2nd, at 11:00am. Mom will be laid to rest at the Ocean View Burial Park, Abbey Mausoleum, 4000 Imperial Street, Burnaby, BC

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the BC Cancer Foundation, in her honour, would be appreciated.

bccancerfoundation.com/InMemory