Rosanna Arone

Rosanna will now be reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, Natale. She will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her four children, Maria (Ralph), Anne (Gabe), Rose and Vince (Pina). Cherished Nonna to Michael (Karen), Marc (Diana), Daniel, Jonathan, Adam, Ryan, Justin, Matthew, Tessa, Marcus and Anthony. Adoring Bisnonna to Giuliana, Ciana, Mia and Emma. She will be fondly remembered by her brothers, Domenic, Frank and Tony, and her sisters, Teresa, Vittoria and Anna. Rosanna will also be reunited in heaven with her late sister, Maria. Rosanna was a kind-hearted woman, who was passionate about her family, forever encouraging everyone to follow their destiny to be happy, honest and kind. Her smile was brightest when surrounded by her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Nonna always ended her phone calls and conversations with family by saying “I Love you”

A visitation for Rosanna will be held Thursday, October 21, 2021 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Delmoro Funeral Home, 61 Beverly Hills Drive, Toronto, ON M3L1A2. A visitation will occur Thursday, October 21, 2021 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, 61 Beverly Hills Drive, Toronto, ON M3L1A2. A funeral mass will occur Friday, October 22, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at All Saints Church, 1415 Royal York Road, Etobicoke, ON M9P3A7.

Contributions in Rosanna's memory may be made to Heart & Stroke Foundation, www.heartandstroke.ca.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.delmorofuneralhome.com for the Arone family.

Good morning everyone, my name is Michael Borrelli and I am Mary and Ralph Borrelli’s son and also the first grandson of our beloved Nonna. On behalf of my brothers, Marc, Daniel, Jonathan and Adam … and all of my cousins (there’s a few of us) Tessa, Ryan, Justin, Matthew, Marcus, and Anthony, I am very proud and privileged this morning to say a few words in celebration of Nonna’s wonderful life ... Mom, Aunt Anne, Aunt Rose, and Uncle Vince, our deepest condolences. Although this is a difficult moment for our family, I truly believe that this is a time to reflect and celebrate on the life of Nonna and the gift she gave all of us: opportunity. Opportunity to have a solid education, a good job, a safe environment to raise and care for family; … an opportunity for all of us to have a better life.

Coming to Canada in December 1956, I can only imagine the uncertainty, doubt and fear that Nonna faced when thinking about leaving everyone and everything in Vallelonga, Calabria. Immigrating to a country without money, without education, and not speaking English, Nonna exemplified courage and bravery on a level that I’m sure … I will never understand. I was thinking about this a little more and it dawned on me … “Nonna … (and my Nonno) were visionaries. They looked to the future and relied on hope and faith to get them through the tough times ahead. They were forward thinkers who were thinking about their children and the opportunities Canada would bring them. They were thinking about their grandchildren and how they would be better off. They were even thinking about their great grandkids (my kids), and how their decision would have a ripple effect on generations in our family. Our Nonna was a pioneer that had the courage, bravery and faith to take her first born daughter (my mom), get on a boat that travelled for 13 days across the Atlantic (I’m sure there wasn’t a hot towel and peanuts offered), and arrive in a foreign land, starting from scratch. Our Nonna was one of the strongest and bravest individuals I have ever known and I am confident that her faith in God and Jesus Christ helped her focus on the one thing that mattered the most: family.

Growing up, Nonna had a way to offer advice and guidance without saying much. With a glace, stare or simple hand gesture, Nonna was able to convey a message that had deep meaning. For me, it was mostly reminders to speak less, and listen more (probably the same for cousin Ryan). And it was those gentle reminders that I remember the most. Nonna may not have approved of everything we did, but the love she felt for all of us was unconditional. She never judged but tried to gently guide us in the right direction.

We may sometimes forget what Nonna said throughout the years. We may even forget what she did from time to time. But we won’t forget how Nonna made us feel. Going to visit Nonna regularly, it was the sounds, smells, and sights that we remember the most. Nonna’s pasta sauce when you walked in the door … (I asked for the recipe years ago and it is still under lock and key). I can still smell it right now. The multitude of tasty treats that Nonna put out for us was the highlight of our visit. My brother Marc insisted that he stay at the table because he knew once he finished the first bowl of snacks, another better one was lurking in the background. (Don’t forget the little bottles of Succo di Frutta in the fridge/pear was my favourite). The sounds of every Christmas Eve in my Nonna’s basement, my aunts and uncles spoiling us with way too many gifts, with the anticipation of that famous pasta baccala and fried fish with mussels and calamari that a high end restaurant couldn’t emulate. Nonna always had time for her grandkids whether it was in the kitchen whipping up a quick batch of taralli and listening to our stories, … to cheering us on at the soccer final or in the cold hockey arenas. Nonna was there.

And over the last 11 years Nonna was blessed with 4 great granddaughters. While lying in the hospital bed a few days before she passed away, Giuliana, Ciana, Mia and Emma played a song on the piano and shared the video with Nonna. Her eyes opened up and she had the biggest smile. Nonna was most happy when she was with her family. And Nonna always finished the phone call with … I love you.

This is a sad day, no question. We are all grieving. We have lost a pillar of our family. But we have hope and faith that Nonna is in a better place, in heaven with our Lord looking down upon all of us and still offering us guidance and support.

Money can be wasted, and property ruined, but what we have inherited from Nonna cannot be damaged, destroyed or lost. It is permanent and it allows Nonna to remain just as alive as always – alive through us.

So for your wisdom, your courage and bravery, tenderness and compassion, your patience and love … thank you Nonna. After you, the mold was indeed broken. We love you Nonna and may you rest in perpetual peace …. (Say hi to Nonno for us)