Angela Williams

“Mama Angela” or “Miss Angela” to the loving people who cared for her at the Rekai Centres-Wellesley Central Place during the final years of her life, passed peacefully in her sleep during the early morning of January 26th, 2024, in her 102nd year.

Born in August 1922, Angela was the youngest daughter of the late Eugenio and Filomena D’Angelo who came to Toronto during the early waves of Italian immigration around 1900. She was sister to Nuzia, Ariel, Pasquale and Rocco who also lived into his 102nd year and passed peacefully in 2008. In the years around the first World War and Great Depression, the D’Angelo family lived in the first Italian Consulate at 55 Agnes Street (now the site of the Eaton’s Centre) where Eugenio was Secretary.

Angela was devoted wife to James Richard MacKenzie (Mack) Williams. Before his passing in 2011, Mack and Angela had been married for more than six decades. They celebrated their diamond (60th) wedding anniversary in September 2007 with a re-commitment ceremony at St. Margaret’s Church in Toronto. Introduced by older sister Nunzia who knew the Williams family through her artwork, Angela and Mack married in 1947 following his discharge from the Royal Canadian Air Force. Their wedding photos show Mack, a handsome young Flying Officer (Navigator), standing beside Angela, a glamorous, raven-haired beauty.

Angela was beloved mother of 3 children, Paul, Rosemary and David. Initially the family lived with Eugenio, Filomena and Rocco at their house on Dupont Street, building strong family ties and many wonderful memories. When Paul was about 5 years old, they moved to Douglas Avenue in North Toronto where Angela and Mack lived through their adult lives.

Always full of life and energy, Angela did not believe in sitting still. She felt that our time on earth is precious and we should make the most of it. As soon as her children reached high school age, she returned to part-time work as a product demonstrator in super-markets, promoting different brands (including some she did not personally care for) and never letting a shopper go by without giving them a sample.

A consummate shopper and bargain hunter herself, Angela hit her stride during the 1980s when Mack’s mother Victoria (Vic) recognized her independent streak and financed a second-hand silver Honda Civic, “my first car”! This meant that Angela could now visit liquidation outlets and discount stores beyond her normal range. She could never pass up a bargain. Her favorite phrase when presenting a surprised family member with an unexpected treasure (such as detachable snow cleats for their shoes), was “at that price, I just couldn’t leave them on the shelf”.

Angela was a warm grandmother to Alexandra, Alicia and Ian, children of Paul Williams and Catherine Turl, and welcoming mother-in-law to Catherine. With Mack she turned her house into a playground: the attic was full of toys and treasures, the main floor always had food and snacks, and the basement was a cozy den for favorite TV shows and popsicles. With Mack, she attended almost every birthday, school event and celebration. Movies show her enthusiastically applauding school concerts, attending birthday parties and family picnics, and giving big hugs to her grandchildren. She was a willing chauffeur for the kids using her faithful Honda to pick them up from school and take them where they had to go. Alex remembers Angela waiting for her in her car at the end of many high school days.

Angela was a great cook, loved family dinners, and would often make more than one main dish so that people could chose their favorite. Making sure people were fed was always a top concern for Angela; she often met people at the door with “you must be hungry; let me make you a steak”!

For Angela, pets and animals were all “God’s creatures;” they deserved special care and attention. During the 1980s, mother cat Tinker, and daughters Blackie and Snoopy, ruled the roost at Douglas Avenue, giving joy to everyone and finding lots of willing laps to snuggle up in. Charlie the squirrel and Rufus, another neighbourhood cat, could always find treats left for them by Angela.

After Mack died in 2011, Angela continued to live in the family home on Douglas Avenue. One of her favorite activities was attending Wednesday mass at St. Patrick’s Church at Dundas and McCaul streets in Toronto which she had done with her brother Rocco when he was alive. She remained healthy and fit, but unfortunately, advancing dementia made it difficult for her to remain at home. In 2013, she moved to the Rekai Centres-Wellesley Central Place. Although experiencing problems with her memory, Angela never forgot her family and always wanted to be reminded of birthdays and holidays so that she could send greetings and a gift.

Angela was a tough lady. In the “dirty thirties” she endured the privations of the Great Depression, scavenging for food at grocery stores and restaurants. Through 2020, at the height of the pandemic, when many of those around her passed tragically, she remained healthy and in control. In late 2022 she tested positive for COVID but suffered few ill effects.

While Angela could offer critical words if she did not like the behaviour of those around her, she was always quick to say “thank you” to the dedicated carers who made her life happy and full at Wellesley Central Place. Angela’s family is so grateful for the amazing care and love of Pam, Zenaida, Dolma, Tanisha, Jane, Judy, Dicky, and Sherique to name but a few.

Very special gratitude is due to Marrisa Ponsones, Angela’s devoted caregiver and companion for over 10 years, who made sure, six days a week at Wellesley Central Place, that Angela was showered, had clean clothes, ate her favorite foods, looked great and was happy. Even during COVID outbreaks in the home, when many workers chose to stay away for their own safety, Marrisa literally risked her life and livelihood to protect Mama Angela. Marrisa continued to attend Mama Angela even when Angela herself tested positive for COVID in 2022. Marrisa was there with Angela the evening before she passed making sure that Angela was comfortable. Marrisa’s unfailing kindness and dedication will always be cherished.

A celebration of Angela’s life will be held in the Chapel, Rekai Centres-Wellesley Central Place, on March 4, between 2 and 4PM, so that people who lived and worked with Angela can say farewell.

Dear Mama Angela, we miss you so much but know you are now reunited with your husband Mack, your parents Eugenio and Filomena, your brother Rocco, and the rest of your loving family.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.