Biagina Iannace

With heavy hearts the family of Biagina Franca Iannace (nee De Giuseppe) announces her peaceful passing on Sunday, May 25, 2025, in Calgary, AB at the age of 83 years. As the beloved matriarch of a large family, Biagina was a loving wife, mother, nonna, sister, aunt, and friend.

She is survived by her children Biagio (Susan) and Anna (Angelo); grandchildren Joel (Melissa), Sarah, Amelia (Geoffrey), Anthony, and Andrena (Mitch); great-granddaughters Halle, Kailyn, Cecilia, and Karaline; sisters-in-law Olga (Francesco), Licia (Giuseppi) and Mierella (Luigi); brother-in-law Mario (Nella); and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whom she loved dearly. Biagina was welcomed into heaven and into the loving arms of her devoted husband of 61 years, Romano, mama Filomena and papa Vincenzo De Giuseppe, her son Emilio, her sister Teresa, and her brothers Francesco, Pasquale, Emanuele.

Biagina was born in Torano Castello, in the province of Cosenza in Southern Italy on March 14, 1942. She spent her first 6 years in Italy before her father, Vincenzo, wanted a better life for the family and they decided to move to Brussels, Belgium. Biagina spoke fondly about attending school in Belgium and was proud that she learned to speak French while she was there. At the age of 17, Biagina bravely decided to leave Belgium and move to Calgary, AB, to live with her brothers, Pasquale and Francesco, in March 1959. She remembered arriving in Calgary on Palm Sunday to a city covered in snow but was excited to start her new adventure. Biagina was proud to get her first job in April 1959 at Rosedale Cleaners. Her job was to sew and mend garments, a task she excelled at as she was meticulous with details. In the summer of 1959, Biagina met Romano, through her brothers, and they wed on January 27, 1962. Together, they loved going to the Italian club to dance the nights away, a memory that was greatly cherished.

During their life together, Biagina and Romano were blessed with three beautiful children. Biagio, Emilio, and Anna were the light of their lives. Biagina was an attentive and caring mother who always made sure the house was kept, kids were cared for, and a hot meal was always ready when they came home from school. Biagina was always a hard worker both inside the home and with their family business, Acadia Shoe Repair. She always greeted customers with a warm smile and made sure the boys in the back were getting their work done. Biagina continued to care for her incredible family when she was promoted to Nonna in 1989. When her five grandkids came running through the door, she was always full of light, love, warmth, and showed she cared by serving the best meal you could imagine. Taking care of her family, laughing with friends, shopping, and going to the casino were some of her favorite pastimes. Travelling to Mexico, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Penticton and Kelowna with the family were some of her most treasured adventures. In her later years, spending time with her family filled her soul, and she truly loved seeing her four great-granddaughters and hearing them play and laugh with each other.

Biagina was strong, resilient, brave, compassionate, and caring. A social butterfly, generous friend, and gracious confidant. She was always willing to step up and help those who needed it. Her cooking was to die for, and she showed her love through food. We will miss her warm smile, tender hugs, and reminders to “make-ah the money.” Biagina was cherished by many and will be greatly missed.

Biagina’s Funeral Mass will be held at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Church, 1714 14 Ave NE, Calgary, Alberta, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. Entombment will follow at Queens Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Foothills Country Hospice via their website: https://www.countryhospice.org/support-us/