Dear Mama,

It has been sometime since you have left us here and I miss you dearly. I miss the way you would smile and move your shoulders when I would play a little music and dance for you. I miss the way you would randomly hold my hand and bring me close for a kiss. I miss our conversations that we would have where I would just act as if I knew what you were saying and respond accordingly. I miss singing “My Chiquitita, My Bonita, My Mama My Mama” to you. I can go on about the many things I miss about you, you were the sweetest. I am grateful for the first, last and every moment in between that we had together. You were like a grandmother to me, Erika, a mother to me and I am blessed to have you both in my life for the past five years. Although you are not physically here with us, your soul lives on and knowing that you reside in many hearts you will live on forever. My deepest condolences to all your love ones. I love you! I miss you! ❤️

Tu niña,
Jaleesa

My mom and I went through good and bad times in unity.  Our differences didn't matter.  We support each other with a genuine love for each other.  There is a void, but her memories together will sustain me.  Love you my mamita.


It is quite incredible that in the midst of all the challenges, she always remembered you, mamita. Beautiful message - she will definitely be missed.

Alberto Almeida

11/30/2022
My dear mother, "Mami", "Mamita, "Polita", "Ita". My favorite person and also my hero. She was able to live her last years with dignity and surrounded by love and care. She was a social person that enjoyed the company of loved ones. She was especially fond of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Even with her advanced Alzheimer's disease, she would recognize their voices which put a smile on her face. My dear Mamita, my love for you was unconditional, you didn't need to be perfect. I loved you just the way you were. I'll keep loving you forever. Kika

Erika Irrgang
Erika Irrgang




Ita had such lively energy to her even in her old age. Her cute little quirks like enjoying her cheerios and stuff toys, and holding our hands tight even though she couldn’t speak. Her strong attitude is inspiring and reminds us to keep a young mindset even as we age! 

- Ollie 

Teresa Piechota

Please accept our sincerest condolences on the loss of Ita. We are very grateful that we had the opportunity to know her. We are going to miss her warmth and kindness so much! Her amazing spirit and love of life touched us all.
We will remember her as a lady with great sense of style and incredible outlook on life. I wish, both Henry and I, could speak Spanish to understand her sense of humor. I remember, when she came to our house for the first time, I tried to make her feeling welcome, so I said: “Bienvenido a mi casa”. Then she started talking to me in Spanish. Thankfully, Erika was nearby, and she saved me from embarrassment 😊
Although it must be difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back at great memories of Ita among friends and family comfort you. 
Teresa and Henry Piechota


Querida mamita le agradezco el haberme dado la vida y le agradezco todos los bellos momentos que vivimos juntas especialmente cuando iba a pasear y ver a la familia en Toronto Canadá. También mis hijos recuerdan esos momentos que vivimos junto a usted, siempre entretenida y con ganas de vivir. Nos deja un gran legado de fortaleza y valentía. Ángeles la acompañen en su viaje a la eternidad. La queremos mucho y la recordaremos por siempre.
Tamara, hijos y nietos, Santiago de Chile 

My father (Henry) proposing to Ita - Christmas, 2018

Much love and my deepest heartfelt condolences to the entire family. 

I will remember Ita as the sweetest woman. She smiled that pure innocent smile that always snatched my heart. I enjoyed all the little moments that we shared—watching Mr. Bean together, sharing chocolate and Cheerios, or seeing her light up with excitement as she proudly showed her rings. She had a zest for life and love, coupled with a wicked sense of humour that made her so special. Though I wish we had more time together, I am grateful for the times we did get to share.

To the family, I hope you can find comfort and strength in your memories of her. I have no doubt her arms are around you still and that her spirit will be kept alive by those who knew her. ❤️

I liked going to see Ita when we visited Oma. She she was always so sweet, eating her Cheerios. 

Un gran abrazo al cielo Ita, estas palabras son para agradecerte. Gracias por la familia que formaste con el Ito, por el esfuerzo y empuje que transmitiste con tu ejemplo. Gracias por las veces que nos visitaste en Chile cuando era un niño y nos compartiste un mundo nuevo. Gracias por mostrarme la ciudad y enseñarme las primeras palabras en inglés cuando fui a estudiar a Toronto. Gracias por tu humor y tenacidad. Gracias por ser parte de mi vida.

Un gran abrazo también a toda mi familia en Canadá, fuerza en estos momentos difíciles, Ita será recordada con mucho cariño. Los quiero mucho.

Vicente



I want to send my most heartfelt condolences to Erika and all the family for the loss of such a kind and wonderful lady. Whenever we seen her around the building we would always stop to say hi and ask how she was. She had such a kind and loving personality that would light up the room with always a smile on her beautiful face. I will remember her always. Erika my heart is with you and your family as you go through this very difficult time. All my love! xox      


Lisa

Ita always had everybody laughing with her bold personality and witty comebacks. I will miss seeing her with her cute-pink stuffed bear by her side, love you Ita 🧸❤️

Querida (Abuel)ita,

Te escribo esta carta sin saber si en el infinito donde estas, caigan estas letras de adiós en tus manos. No sé si lograste todo lo que quisiste realizar en fuerzas; si la vida te dio toda la felicidad que te merecías; si todos pudimos agradecerte en vida lo que hicisteis por nosotros - nosotros tus hijos, tus nietos, tus amigos, tu familia canadiense y chilena: los tuyos. 

Con el (Abuel)ito dejaste atrás tu querido país en el setenta para uno que no hablaba tu lenguaje, un país sinceramente tan ajeno como tus padres, pero cuya frontera te recibió a brazos abiertos para crecer nuevas raíces, y raíces si pudiste hacer. El que te conocía sabía que no eras desanimada, derrotista ni deprimida. ¿Alguna vez te vi llorar? Si fue, fue por recuerdos, alegra o quizás una desilusión, pero nunca por el vencimiento. La vida te tumbaba, pero nunca caías.

¿Pudiera hacerles el suficiente honor a tus recuerdos al decirlos uno por uno, a todos aquellos que me hicieron reír, todas las palabras de ánimo cuando me sentía mal, o simplemente los fuerte apretones necesarios para empujarme adelante – los momentos indecibles, sutil, y sublime que ahora viven en mí? Me quedo corto (¿por qué me fallan las palabras?) con agua en los ojos (aparentemente las lágrimas no me fallan), desarmado ... con el simple poder ... de solo decir una pequeña declaración ... te quiero, Ita ... gracias por todo, y te quiero mucho. 

Tu nieto,

Claudio


A Holiday get together that the whole family came over.  She was showing us her rings. I know she always enjoyed seen everyone.

Here was another Holiday at our house and she had liked this snowman I had for decor.  Since I met her, she and I enjoyed our chats. Here she was still able to have a good conversation.  I believe it was December 2013

May Ita rest in peace.  Leaving behind a legacy of family memories and words of wisdom.  “So otros pueden yo tambien puedo”, she would tell me in response, when I would tell her about a goal I had that seemed impossible. “Cuando el rio suena, porque piedras trae”, is what she would say when I told her that my gut was telling me something, but that was the only thing I had to go by.  “La suerte de la fea, la Bonita la desea”, was how she would console me when I told her my teenage insecurities. She would share these words of wisdom when we would meet up for lunch at The Bay, and she would tell me a stories of how she was patiperriando and finding good deals at stores. I would tell her my hopes and dreams, and she would tell me how they would happen, and she believed in me. She would tell me about her days at El telegrafo, proud of how quickly she picked up Morse code, and how she was one of the fastest.  At the Bay,  she would introduce me to her coworkers, and would sweet talk them into giving me free Jell-O or dessert, she would tell them, this is my granddaughter.  We enjoyed those lunches until her health brought it to an end, but what a time we always had together. 



A moment with her grandson Claudio, I think she was playing with her favorite pink bear here and probably thought Claudio was going to get her cheerios :) 

Eta was a person that I held dear in my heart. To her she may have seen me and my family as a new turning page to her life, to me through she was nothing but my life. My time on this earth was with her and with her always. I remember her always talking to me but I could never understand her. My parents would always help translate what she was saying and translate back what I wanted to say to her, she was always kind and compassionate to me and to everyone, I always felt enthusiastic whenever we visited her and Oma and it always left me with that feeling of warmth and humility. I can't imagine a reality where she is not here. That one day I may never feel her love again.  She is now a page in my life rather than all of it. I remorse the fact that she will never see me change and grow, to see the person I'd be or the person I could become tomorrow. But as I grief and  mourn, she will forever be apart of the time I shared with her and with all of our laughs, smiles and tears. To be remembered, gone but not forgotten, to become forever until our memories pass.

Eta, wherever you are. Know that we love you with all of our hearts and the world. Know that all of our love for you shall remain eternal. 

Know that I love you and that 
I love you so much.

May be peace be with you.

-Victor 

It's been a sad week processing the loss of our grandmother, Ita. The life of the party with a joke up her sleeve at all times, she was unapologetically human and always her genuine self. I will hold many lovely memories of her with me - from watching Mr. Bean together as a kid, walking around downtown and eating lunches at the Bay together, to her defending me against bullies in public school (true story) - she was unwaveringly fearless, brave, hilarious, and one of the strongest women I've ever met. The dementia was hard to see, but I'm glad I had a few more years to learn more about her - from her history as a child, to a lover of Tango in the present. I am thankful for the memories she has given me and will hold them closely in my heart, as I move through this challenging time. 

I love you and miss you dearly Ita. May you experience the full extent of peace and rest to come. Thank you for everything. 
 
Un gran abrazo, beto 

I think this was during the Holidays long ago. Ita's daughter Tia Tamara was visiting.

One of family Holiday dinners we hosted at our home. 

A more recent photo of her I believe this was 2021.  We tried to engage a bit with her whenever she was up to it.

Whenever Erika visited with her and after we ate, we used to take walk around our neighborhood.  I loved our chats and here Claudio thought of taking this pic 

Ita always made me and the family laugh with her saying and jokes. I know in this pic Claudio (her grandson, my husband) had to wait for me to stop laughing so he could take the pic.  Like Erika said, she was always the life of the party.  I think she disliked seen people too serious or awkward silences.  She was a strong independent lady.  She told it like it was, no sugar coating and I loved that about her. Whatever she did she did her way, she was in-charge of her life until she couldn't. I for sure will take a page from her book of life. Live your life your way, say what you really want to say and don't let others bring you down.  Laugh, live and let live.  Don't ever apologize for been good to yourself.  Thank you, Ita, for always helping me, for welcoming me into the family, for your advice that I will always keep in mind. I will miss you so much. May God keep you in his memory always.  Odi <3 
I dedicate a song from Mark Sinatra for you, and whenever I play it, I'll think of you Ita.  "My Way"

My mom and I had a strong bond.  At moments when her memory was not working well, she always remembered me.  Until the last day of her life, she called me and said "Kika stay with me". She had a huge heart.  She gave her time and support to anyone that needed help.  She was generous and fun.  She was the center of attention at any family gathering.  Dear mom, you will always stay alive in my heart and mind. Love you forever, Kika

OBITUARY

Marta Fuenzalida Palma

October 12, 1921 – November 23, 2022

Giffen-Mack Funeral Home & Cremation Centre

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