Iolanda (Iola) Contasti

Beloved wife of the late Domenico (Tony). Loving mother of Irene DiCarlo (Gerry), Reno Contasti (Jana), Laura Contasti (the late Gabe), Lucy Marion (Ed) and the late Rita Darnell (John). Cherished Nonna/Grandma of Eddi, Marc (Erin), Dean (Jessica), Adrienne, Alaina, Alexandra, Jillian. Great Grandmother of Brooke and Theodore. Dear sister of Domenic Cherubini and Vilma DiVincenzo. Predeceased by her siblings Luigina, Lorenzo, Maria and Antonio. She will be sadly missed by many nieces and nephews both in Canada and Italy. Iola was strongly independent and devoted to her family. We will always remember many happy family gatherings where she shared her love of cooking. We will always cherish mom's thoughtful dedication to everyone's good health, happiness and well being. She was special to us all and will be greatly missed. Visitation at MARKEY-DERMODY FUNERAL HOME, 1774 King Street East, on Friday, October 7 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. Funeral Service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 10:30 am. Entombment Holy Souls Mausoleum, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Donations in Iola's memory may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Important Memories of Iolanda Shared in the Service

~~ Iolanda was a fairly religious woman: she was a member of St. John the Baptist Church for 60 years and always went to Sunday Mass until her mobility issues made it difficult for her to attend. But then she discovered daily Mass on TV! -- And faithfully watched.

~~ One of the things she liked about her move to an apartment at St. Elizabeth was that it was attached to St. Elizabeth’s church and there she could attend Sunday Mass without even venturing out of doors, but in later years even that became difficult.

~~ Then she discovered the faith channels on cable TV and was thrilled to watch the Masses broadcast from the Vatican and different parts of the world, she rarely missed a documentary on the Pope and delighted in following and saying the rosary broadcast on TV – a favorite was from Lourdes. In fact, a rosary was always in her side table drawer, her purse, or her pocket, and her children felt it was appropriate that her favorite should be placed in her hands as she makes her final journey from this earth. Another favorite item she cherished was a little statue from the Pontifical Basilica of San’Antonio di Padua, in northern Italy. She ordered this statue, surrounded by tiny star lights from the Basilica over 65 years ago: her husband built a little corner stand for it and it stayed lit, day and night, until she passed away. And this too, her family thought she would want to keep with her for eternity.

~~ Iolanda would frequently say about the events that happened throughout her life, whether they be good or bad, that they were always “la volonta’ di Dio”, or the Will of God!

~~ Iolanda had 5 children, 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, and while she wasn’t a mother to boast about her children and grandchildren’s accomplishments, the delight and pride was visible for all to see, and she never failed to ask about their heath, what they were doing, check that they had made it home safely in bad weather, and what she could make for them to eat. One of her final delights was seeing how much her 18 month old great-grandson Theodore had grown and she blew kiss to him as he left her apartment.

~~ Her philosophy on life was quite simple, -- she believed you gave an honest day’s work, your health was your greatest wealth, family was your greatest happiness, and strength was derived from Faith.

She will be missed by all

Respectfully submitted by Iolanda’s daughter: Irene DiCarlo.

Iolanda Contasti- Eulogy Shared at the Venetian Club

October 8, 2022

Iolanda’s family would like to thank everyone for coming today.

Iolanda was born in Italy in Intermesoli, a small village surrounded by the Gran Sasso mountains, a place described as “high enough for eagles to soar”. It was here that she learned to overcome life’s many challenges, things like growing food by the strength of your manual labour, surviving war, and the importance of family.

Although from humble beginnings, Iolanda was very independent. Like many immigrants she moved to Canada to pursue a better life. In her new country, she continued to apply the lessons that hard work and determination can help you overcome any problems that arise. In the sixties when her husband Domenic was on strike pay for two summers in a row and money was tight, she didn’t complain. No, they got the family up at the crack of dawn, rolled everyone, kids and all into the station wagon and drove down to Jackson’s farm and picked fruit for extra money.

Our parents appreciated the opportunities available to them here and they did their best to ensure their children had better opportunities as well. While she wasn’t given the opportunity for a lot of formal education, it was important that her children did receive it and that they worked hard at whatever they were doing.

After our father retired, they started taking bus trips together. They travelled to many places across Canada, from Newfoundland to Vancouver and to several states in the US. She loved these trips and had many stories to tell. After our father’s passing, she continued to travel with friends and went to Paris, Mexico and Florida. We were glad she did it.

Iolanda enjoyed a glass a wine with her lunch. Once, while on a cruise with Irene, Laura and her two daughters she decided she wanted a glass of wine with her dinner and the maître de said he would “get the sommelier” and Iolanda asked Laura “what il somaro”??? which in Italian means Jackass. Laura explained he was a wine expert and when he arrived, he spent 5 mins explaining the excellent characteristics of the fine wines he recommended would go with her dinner --- mom patiently listened, then said thank-you, now “just bring me some red wine.”

Iolanda never learned to drive but she certainly knew her way around Hamilton by bus. She could have been a spokesperson for Hamilton Transit. She loved that when she turned 80, she got to ride the bus for free. She bought her groceries and went to all her appointments by bus. It didn’t matter if she had to ride 3 different buses and it took an hour and half, she just did it and never complained. “I don’t want to bother anyone” was one of her favourite lines.

She loved to cook and prepared many great Christmas and Easter meals for all 20 of us at her house on Graham. She did this until her early 80’s when she agreed to let us help and bring part of the meals. Shortly after she finally let her children host family events. Like many Nonna’s, she made great food and wonderful easter bread, as well as cinnamon buns and pizzelles. She would spend a couple of days making Easter bread for every one of us. That’s over 20 easter breads. All of us knew the smell of her spaghetti sauce.

She lived in her home on Graham until she was 88 when her sore knees made it difficult for her to stand long enough to prepare her meals. She found her own retirement home that she wanted to live in and moved to St Elizabeth’s in 2015.

We were lucky to spend July 1st with her this summer in the courtyard of her retirement home. We all brought food and had a picnic outside. It was a beautiful day. It would be our last family gathering with her. Our mother saw hope in the future, and she knew the importance of saying thank you. Her wish for everyone was for good health, she knew that it is what matters most in life.

Most of all, she was extremely proud of all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

On behalf of Irene, Reno, Laura, Lucy, the grandchildren and great grandchildren, we thank you for sharing in the celebration of life for Iolanda. Take care everyone and thank you