Matilde Rosaria Zinni

Matilde left this life peacefully on July 4th, 2024, just shy of her 100th birthday.

Mourning her loss and celebrating her life are her son Joseph (Lorraine) and daughter Ida (late Ed Mayhew): her 5 grandchildren Sheri, David, Jennifer, Alison, Ryan: her 6 great-grandchildren Luca, Brock, Oscar, Jack, Chloe, Lola, her sister Teodora and numerous nieces and nephews in Canada, Italy and South America.

Matilde was predeceased by her husbands Nicola Zinni (1946-1991) and Fenando Salvi (1998-2001), her parents Lina and Antonio Giagnacovo and sister Anna.

Matilde immigrated to Canada with her children in 1952. She was an accomplished cook and seamstress. Matilde's love for travelling took her to Italy, Germany, Philippines, Russia, Poland, South America, Japan and England, as well as numerous locations in Canada.

Matilde was a devoted Catholic, watching daily T.V. mass which she had memorized in its entirety in Italian, English and partial French. Her dear friends, the Servite Sisters (especially the late Sister Lilliana) would recite the rosary nightly, before bedtime, over the telephone.

Matilde had a great love for all children, whether they were within the family, extended family or within the neighbourhood. The neighbourhood children all loved her and would call her Nonna or introduce her as their Italian Mother.

Matilde's interests also included her fondness for music, shoes, scarves, clothes, purses, cookware, and going on picnics.

Matilde was involved in many Italian organizations, in particular L'Eta D'Oro (where she was a founding member at Villa Marconi) and A.N.P.S. (Associazione Nationale Polizia di Stato) in Toronto and Ottawa.

In 2011, she received the prestigious Filo Award honouring and celebrating Canadian Women of Ottawa for their volunteer contributions to their communities.

However, her most treasured and fondest memory was attending Christmas Midnight Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, not 20 feet away from the Pope.

Matilde was a true inspiration to her family and to all who knew her. She left behind a legacy of strong family values and endless love.

Matilde would always say "God Bless You" to everyone she met.

May God Bless you Matilde, May you find peace and love in God's presence.

The family wishes to thank all the staff at Villa Marconi for their care and compassion over the past six years.

Friends may pay their respects at McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home, 1411 Hunt Club Road, Ottawa On Friday, July 19th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Funeral Mass on Saturday, July 20th at 10 am. at St. Anthony's Church, 427 Booth Street, Ottawa

In Lieu of flowers, please consider donating to C.H.E.O or St. Anthony's Church.