Ines Forte

April 11, 1939 – September 13, 2016

We are sad to announce that Ines Forte passed away on September 13, 2016 in Toronto in her 78th year. She is mourned by her three children Alexandra, Remo and Renaldo Agostino and her grandchildren Nathan and Tristen. Ines is survived by her siblings Adelia Tari and Antonio, Matteo and Maria Forte, and several nieces and nephews.

Ines was born in Tufo di Minturno, Italy, to Alessandro and Angela (nee Mazzucco) Forte just prior to World War II. She often cited the shortage of food and water during this period, which, for a short time, forced her mother to place her and her older sister in an orphanage in Naples. The devastation of their homeland resulted in Ines, like many in her generation, having to look elsewhere for a better future.

At the age of 18, Ines left Italy for Surrey, England to work as an assistant in Milford Tuberculosis Hospital. This set the stage for the next big phase of her life, which was immigrating to Canada in 1962.

Like so many Italian immigrants, her first home here was a room on Euclid Ave. in the Little Italy area of Toronto. Slowly gaining traction in a new country, she went on to own a home and raise three children as a single parent. She proudly obtained her high school equivalency in the 1980s, and provided for her family by holding down a variety of manual jobs. Her most satisfying work came as a Support Worker for Villa Colombo, where she worked with a team of women who came from similar backgrounds, and completed a certificate as a Personal Care Worker in 2001. She retired in 2004 and spent many pleasurable hours cultivating her gardens. The family home was purchased not only for the house, but for the large backyard that over the years filled her cantina and supplied many neighbouring households with fresh produce. Ines also spent countless hours chatting over the fence or on the veranda with friends and neighbours.

In February 2012, Ines was faced with the devastating diagnosis of leukemia. She often referred to the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as her second home, and it became to be just that. Immeasurable thanks goes to Dr. A. Schuh and his team of hematologists, the in-patient leukemia units and, in particular, the nurse practitioners and nurses of the Transfusion Unit at Princess Margaret. Gratitude also goes out to the likely hundreds of people whose blood donations made such a difference to Ines and continue to do so for other cancer patients. We also acknowledge and thank the wonderful staff at New Horizons Tower who took such good care to make a comfortable home for Ines, along with the physicians and nurses from the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care.

Finally, a debt of gratitude goes to all the Westmoreland Avenue neighbours who have been there to celebrate holidays and birthdays, assist with appointments, help shed a light on the outside world when Ines was unable to go out, share food and most importantly their time, caring and love. Her special niece Angelica Forte gave Ines many hours of comfort in her final weeks.

Visitation will take place at the JERRETT FUNERAL HOME (1141 St. Clair Ave., W Toronto, Ontario) on Sunday, September 18, 2016 from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, (1041 Bloor St. West) on Thursday, September 22 at 9:30 am. Inurnment of Cremated Remains directly following Mass at Prospect Cemetery. (1450 St. Clair Ave W.,)

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation – Leukemia Research Fund , Canadian Blood Services or the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care.