Adelina "Lina" Heilman

(nee Salerno)

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Cousin and Friend on December 26, 2018.  Lina was born August 21, 1948 in Volturara Irpina, Italy.  She immigrated to Canada in 1951 with her parents, where they made Saskatchewan their home.  Lina lived in several small Saskatchewan towns as her dad worked with the railway.  During that time, her brother Fred and sister Gina came along.  Lina was a great big sister and often took care of her siblings while they ran the hotel in Milestone.  Lina moved to Moose Jaw where she started working at Valleyview Centre as a nurse’s aide.  She met her husband Clifford there and they were married in July 1968.  Lina was predeceased by her parents Nicola and Fiorinda Salerno, her daughter Christina, nephew Daniel, granddaughter Allison, sisters-in-law Christena and Karen, and brother-in-law Phillip.  Lina is survived by her husband, Clifford and children – Bonnie (Jeff), Annalee (Mike) and Jeff (Corely).  Lina had nine grandchildren – Lisa, Christina (Matt), Leanne, Lee (Shekinah), Zach, Isabella, Avaunna and Andrew; and five great-grandchildren – Nicolas, Payton, Keyanna, Averi and Brylee. Also surviving are her siblings Fred (Heather) and Gina; in- laws Joe (Leona), Fran (Alfred), Percy, Jerome, Fred (Joyce), Clarence, Louise and Richard; as well as by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.  Special mention to family members Little Lina (Andy), Raelynn (Preston), Bryan (Dani) and Michelle for your love and support while Lina was sick and in her everyday life.  Lina worked in the healthcare field for the majority of her life.  They moved to Saskatoon in 1971 where Lina stayed home to take care of her children.  She then re-entered the workforce working as a Special Care Aide at Bergmans Nursing Home.  Lina took her Special Care Aide course while working at Bergmans and once she graduated started working at Lutheran Sunset in the Dementia Unit.  Lina had a special touch with all her patients and families as she had a calming, loving nature that would radiate with all that encountered her.  She enjoyed her Sunday visits with Leslie and Len Regush where she often got to see her “adopted” grandkids Curtis, Jenny and baby Alexa.   She enjoyed having coffee with Josie where she would get her cups of ice and eat it the entire visit.  She’d enjoy her visits with work friends from Bergmans and Luther and loved the annual dining dates.  Beth, Roseanne, Connie and Adele – you were very special to her; Pam – your friendship meant the world to her.  You were more like sisters and she appreciated all the chats and special deliveries from the Italian Store.  Hazel and Ned – you were longtime friends and were always there to support her and our family.  Lina’s best friend Suzanne and her husband Neil both passed away this year.  Mom was so heartbroken and had a void in her life since they said goodbye.  Tania and Kim – you meant the world to her and she was proud to be your other “Aunty”.  Lina also took pride in her Kayte girl who was the light of her life and at the end, she was excited to reunite with Suzie, Neil and Kayte in heaven.  Lina made a lot of friends in her lifetime and positively impacted all that she met.  Whether it be her need for a great bargain, her daily refills of ice from Starbucks or 7-11 or dose of pickles at McDonalds, she always found the best deals around while making new friends.  Lina loved spending time with her grandkids and valued family.  Her one wish was to have her family back together and in the last moments with us, she did just that.  She was our matriarch and there is a big void moving forward.  She had strong Italian genes with a will like no other and a sense of humour that kept everyone on their toes.  We would like to thank the staff at St. Paul’s on 5B, Observation and ICU for the amazing care you showed Lina.  To the numerous doctors who have watched over her the last few years – we thank you.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to St. Paul’s Hospital ICU.  At Lina’s request there will be no funeral.  A Private Graveside Service will occur at a later date.  Cremation Arrangements in care of David Schurr of Mourning Glory Funeral Services (306) 978-5200.