Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

I will miss you Mary, Love Bev xo

Although most people know what an amazing person our nona was, we had the special privilege of being her grandchildren and that came with a unique and exceptional bond that one can only have with a grandparent.  Our Nona did anything and everything for us.  You could show up at any time of the day and know that there would be tocho or soup or some other delicious meal waiting for you and, of course, a ton of chocolate!  We loved to hear stories of her past and the different and trying times she had growing up.  To know of all her struggles and to see the way she persevered was amazing.  Our Nona was always full of wisdom and we cherish all of the conversations we had together.  She was always honest and thoughtful and, although traditional, she kept up with changing times and would often shock us with how relaxed she had become with certain views.  We would get a kick out of discussing her opinions on wordly television shows like Jerry Springer!  
When great granddaughter, Amara, came along there was a new "baby" in town.  Nona's eyes would still light up to see us but, at the same time, they would be searching around to see if "the baby" was there too.  Watching Nona become a Great Grandmother was a mixed blessing.  We loved to watch the joy Amara brought to Nona but no longer were WE THE perfect grandchildren.  Now we were "the mother and uncle" of Nona's "baby", Amara.  Nona also liked to give advice.  She was always sure Amara had been dressed too warmly, or not warmly enough, her hair was never quite right and she was always starving in Nona's opinion.  While Nona sometimes drove us crazy with this, it was just another example of how strong Nona's love was for her grandchildren.  
The lessons learned from our Nona are plentiful.  Some of the ones we will take to heart are to love and take care of your family, to always laugh and to spend money on things you want to do as there is always more money to be made but opportunities can't always be recreated.  Most importantly, Nona taught us to be happy with what we have.  Even in her final painful days when we told Nona how sorry we were that she could not spend Christmas at home with us this year, she replied.  "That's O.K., I am just thankful to be here."  And that was the truth.  Nona was always thankful no matter the situation.  So, even though not having our Nona in our lives seems unbearable, we will just be thankful to have had the best Nona a person could ever ask for and we will cherish all of the memories we have.  We will love you always, Nona.

Love, Scott, Sara and Amara xoxoxoxoxo

Our mom was born in 1923 in a small Italian village by the name of Selva del Montello.  She was the 2nd youngest of 12 children.  Mom came from a family that had little and, although she had many happy memories of childhood, her life was not easy.  Hard work and making do were lifestyles she learned at an early age.  When she met my dad, they both made the courageous decision to leave their families and what they knew and travel to a new place in search of a brighter future. 
Mom and Dad immigrated to Canada in 1949 and were married in New Westminster.   Mom was married in black as her father had just passed away.  Her only splash of color was a pink hat with matching gloves.  Together, they raised 4 daughters and both instilled in us the value of hard work, honesty and respect.  
It is difficult to talk about my mom.  The emotional aspect aside, I struggled to find the perfect words which would convey just what a selfless, loving and devoted wife and mother she was.  Her devotion was steadfast and unfailing and her heart enormous.  Her family always came first. We never went without but I know there were many times when our mom did just so that she could do something for us.  We were so well loved and cared for.  As children we never left the house with (heaven forbid) our socks on inside out or a barrette askew.  Nothing was too much trouble and no one was more patient, kind or hard working than our mom.  We would often arrive home from school  to find dresses that had been sewn or sweaters that had been knit, sometimes for us or sometimes for our dollies.   The beds would be filled with homemade pasta that was drying.  The kitchen would be filled with the smell of homemade bread or the counters would be filled with canning from her garden.  $1.49 day always meant a new little treat for us too.  The truly amazing part is how my mom managed to do all this in between watching all her favorite soap operas! 
Mom loved children and when her beloved grandchildren, Sara and Scott, arrived, and, later, her great-grandaughter, Amara, she was in seventh heaven.  Time with Nona, whether it was baking, learning to sew, working in the garden, playing cards or just cuddling was always special and you knew you had her undivided attention and all of her love.  
As I have said, Mom always put her family first, and never was Mom’s devotion to her family as evident as when she nursed our dad for 11 years after his stroke.  Even when he had to finally enter a nursing home, she went to visit and have dinner with him, every night, always bringing him something extra that she had made at home.  In three years, she only ever missed 4 times, and that was only because she was sick herself.  
Mom loved people and everyone loved Zia Maria.  Her door was always open and, if you came in, you had to eat.  Biscotti, stracci or tocho, whatever she had was yours.  After a favorite night with friends and family, singing Italian songs and dancing, Mom would think nothing of starting to cook a big meal…often at 3 o’clock  in the morning.  The visits mom got when her own mobility became restricted were important to her.  We thank those friends and family who still faithfully phoned or came to see her.  We also have to particularly thank our Zia Lala, whose daily phone calls, encouragement, prayers and frequent visits meant so much.
My Mom was at heart a very gentle soul but she was also feisty and she had spunk.  She told you what she thought, sometimes in words that I won’t use here in church.  She was a good, good woman but she did have a few vices too.  Mom loved the slot machines and she was very happy when the casinos moved a little closer to her.  She wasn’t particularly lucky but firmly believed that one day she would be.  Unfortunately, we all seem to have inherited this same belief.  Mom also liked to play cards, especially canasta but the woman liked to cheat.  Nothing pleased her more than being able to pick up an extra card or two from the deck without anyone noticing.  She always gave herself away though as she couldn’t help laughing about it.
Our mom suffered with pain for much of her life.  Yet her faith and her acceptance never wavered.  Mom never asked ‘why me’ and, although she may have complained about her pain, she never complained about the fact that it was her lot in life to have it.  Although she did not have the opportunity to have a lot of formal education, she was a very wise woman.  She believed you should accept whatever life brings you, have faith, be grateful and love unconditionally. 
As children, we don’t always comprehend or fully realize the meaning of our mother’s love, the tenderness and wisdom , the patience and forgiveness that are part of everyday, the unexpected ‘little things’ done out of love.   But as adults we certainly do and we are thankful that our mom has given us so many memories too beautiful to forget.
Our mom had a great sense of humor but the past while has not given her too much to laugh about.  I know that she will find her smile again in heaven and that dad will be waiting for her with open arms.  Give dad our love, Mom.  We will always love and dearly miss the two of you.  Rest in peace.  God Bless.

My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family during this time of sorrow and grief. Maria was a wonderful godmother and a life long friend to my family. She will be missed by all of us.  

Sonia, Todd, Lia and Daniella Organ and Cucciol Family

When I decided to do a tribute to our mother, I thought about what was the strength that she brought to her life. And the word that came to mind was courage.  She was one of the most courageous women that I have known.  At the age of 27, she and my dad left their family behind in Italy to forge a new life in Canada; not only for themselves, but their future family.  My mom came to a new country, had to learn a new language and create a new life; something I think I would not be able to do.  She often talked about crossing on the ship to Halifax, scared about what the future would hold but hopeful that it would all turn out well.  She often told the story of her trip via rail from Halifax to New Westminster.  The only English drink she knew was Coca Cola so she would send my dad to get her some to drink.  She vowed that once she got to her destination, she would never again under any circumstances drink Coca Cola again and she never did; even the smell of it would make her sick.  My dad and she were married once they arrived in New Westminster and we would often tease her that she was way ahead of her time; traveling with a man she wasn’t married to.  She would just say, “Mah for gosh sakes.”  Although her sisters tried to convince her to wear white on her wedding day, she did not; her father had passed away and in honour of him and his memory, she wore black.  Her sisters did convince her to change into another dress after the ceremony.

My mother endured many illnesses and accidents throughout her life; but she always fought them with optimism and hope and little splash of humour.  On one occasion when both she and my dad were on crutches because they had both injured a foot, I came home to check on them to find them pushing a bottle of rye down the hallway to the living room with a crutch so they could have a drink while they watched the news, or whatever was on T.V.

She also often talked about the fact that she had visited a strega, or a fortune teller before she left Italy.  The strega told her that she would be crossing a lot of water and that she would be rich.  My mother always bought lottery tickets and loved when she was younger to go to Reno with Brian and Mary Ann, Joanne and 
Barbara or the casinos on the island, positive that she was going to be a big winner.  The strega was right.  She did cross a lot of water and she was rich.  She was rich in the love a family who respected and adored her.  She was rich in knowing that she left behind daughters who grew up to be independent women who live their lives with integrity, honesty, and a respect for others.  She left behind grandchildren who loved their Nona because she accepted them for who they were and loved them without condition.  She was never shy to offer advice or suggestions as to why they would want to wear, in Scott’s case pants with holes in them, which was the style; surely his mother could buy him some new ones or to Sara, positive that she was squishing the baby because her maternity tops were too tight.  

My mother always lived her life with a half full attitude; not what she didn’t have but what she did have.  This is a comforting and sad time for all of us.  Although I know that not a day will pass when we think of her often, as we have done with my Dad, we are comforted in knowing that she is no longer in pain.  I am sure that she is in an osteria (a bar) reunited with my dad, her family and friends having a little chikit (a shot) and doing what she always did best; making the best of whatever situation she was in.  Love you, Mom.

Those we love don’t go away
They walk beside us every day
Unseen, unheard, but always near
Still loved, still missed
And very dear

our deepest condolences to you all, may you find peace and comfort with your faith and the support of family and friends.  Allan & Chris

OBITUARY

Mary Elsa Mussato Pozzebon

July 31, 1923 – January 2, 2011

Chapel of Memories Funeral Directors

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