Stella Ferri

Stella was born to Nicola and Carmela Marziliano on October 28, 1939, in Sannicandro di Bari, Italy. In 1956, at age 17, Stella immigrated to Toronto, Canada. She would soon meet Tommaso Ferri, who was also from Sannicandro di Bari, and the two were married in 1958. Over the next 17 years they worked together in a successful janitorial business they started. They had four children. Although they had built a great life in Toronto, with many relatives and friends, in 1975, the family left the cold winters and moved to sunny California settling on an almond ranch in Sanger.

Stella loved the almond ranch in Sanger as it reminded her of growing up in Italy where she helped on her family's farms. She loved to raise rabbits, chickens, and the occasional goat or two. She also loved her big vegetable garden and all her flowers, spending countless hours watering and tending to them. Stella had quite the green thumb. She was also an amazing cook and held tightly to the Italian traditions. Above all, Stella's true love and joy was in helping raise her eight grandchildren. She loved them dearly and taught them well.

Thank you God for letting her stay with us for just a few more days so she could see her daughter Pam get married. It was a true blessing and gift that will never be forgotten.

In addition, the family wants to thank Dr. David Cavagnaro, M.D., for his outstanding and compassionate care for Stella.

Stella is survived by her four children and their spouses, Sabina DiNuzzo and her husband Tony, Bino Jack Ferri and his wife Jamie, Pam Souza and her husband Dan, and Nick Ferri; eight grandchildren, Angela, Michael, Audrianna, Briana, Tommaso, Andrea, Julia, and Luca; brothers, Vito and Michael Marziliano; sister Teresa Mondelli; brother-in-laws Michele and Dominic Ferri; sister-in-laws Angela and Anna Marziliano; and many loving nephews, nieces, and cousins.