Anna Maria Pontello

She was born on April 19th, 1969 to the late Pietro and Natalina (Passarelli) Pontello in Toronto.

Anna intensely loved her family from which she drew great strength, support and comfort. As a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and great-aunt, she loved unconditionally, simply and thoughtfully. Beyond her family, she fostered community and genuine friendship, opening her gentle and generous heart without hesitation or judgment, developing friendships easily and nurturing them as if they were her greatest responsibility and treasure. Her love extended even to her pets and those of those of her loving neighbours, including a favourite local squirrel who she fed and visited her every day!

While she experienced significant challenges throughout her life on this earth, they forged a gentleness and openness of heart which allowed her to connect deeply and personally, and to transform all of those who were blessed with the opportunity to know her. Anna was a pure-hearted soul who captured the hearts of the community she lived in, and always had time for conversation and camaraderie with the neighbours and friends who meant so much to her. In her very special way, Anna taught those around her how to love.

She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Paola (Pontello) and Ciro De Ciantis, and her brothers Tony Pontello and David Pontello. She leaves a cherished memory in their hearts, and in the hearts of her niece, Natalie (De Ciantis) Nunno, and nephews, Alex De Ciantis and Michael De Ciantis. Anna treasured watching them marry their respective spouses, Adrian Nunno, Mackenzie (Tetz) De Ciantis, and Gena (van Oosten) De Ciantis, as well as getting to meet and love their children, her great nephew and nieces - Matthew, Lorenna, Giulia, and Eleanor. Anna will also live forever in the hearts of her aunts, uncles and cousins with whom she shared a special bond and relationship. More broadly, she is survived by a community and friends which loved her incessantly, demonstrated most particularly during the most difficult and recent moments of her journey.

The family would like to sincerely thank all of the people who supported Anna during her battle with cancer. The friends, neighbours, doctors, nurses, PSWs, and day-to-day companions were instrumental in giving her love and quality of life into her final days, and their value simply cannot be quantified. With a rekindled faith, she nurtured her soul with prayer and drew strength in these most difficult times from receiving the sacraments and her pastor’s counsel. Anna’s memory will live on long after her passing, with those who loved her remembering her infectious smile and laughter, her love of the simple things such as Tim Horton’s coffee and anything pink, and most of all, the love and kindness from her that we all came to treasure.

For those who would like to pay their sympathies to the family, visitations will be held at Jerrett Funeral Homes – St. Clair Chapel (1141 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, ON M6E 1B1) from 6 pm to 9 pm on Monday, February 26th, 2024, as well as from 2 pm to 4 pm and 6 pm to 9pm on Tuesday, February 27th, 2024. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 28th at 10 am at Blessed Trinity Parish (3220 Bayview Ave, North York, ON M2M 3R7) with final entombment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery (Thornhill, ON). In lieu of flowers, donations in Anna’s memory to any of the The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation Fund, The Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, or Unity Health – Mental Health, would be greatly appreciated.