Our family is profoundly saddened to announce the sudden passing of our beloved mother and Nonna, Francesca Donato.
Franca was born in the hillside village of Timponello, Catanzaro, Italy on March 16, 1946. She was the youngest of 9 children. From a young age, she took an active interest and role in the day-to-day responsibilities of family life in the countryside. From cooking and baking, to watching over her numerous nieces and nephews, she demonstrated a nurturing spirit early in her life.
She left the security and comfort of her loving family at 19 years old when she and her husband Domenico moved to Port Arthur in search of opportunities and a new life. It wasn’t long until she put her nurturing skills to good use as she and Domenico welcomed 5 children into the world within the span of 7 years. It was during these years and the decades that followed that Franca really showed what she was made of. She was a loving, hard-working, dedicated and resilient woman right up until her final days. Her family was the center of her world.
Over the years, she worked several jobs where she developed long standing friendships, learned new skills and helped support her family. When she retired, she settled into her routine as gardener, florist, chef and most of all, friend and family mainstay. Being Nonna to her 6 grandchildren was her greatest source of joy. Her door was open to family and friends, as she had the biggest heart and would not hesitate to welcome anyone. She was always prepared to feed everyone, as well, and provide her homemade baked treats for any family or friends for any occasion.
Her most endearing qualities, however, were her unwavering support for her family and her resilience in the face of adversity. She dealt with more than her fair share of aches, pains and setbacks several times in her life. But, she always worked hard to recover and was eager to keep moving and regain her independence. Compelled by her sense of responsibility, and supported by her family, friends and faith in God, she battled her way through and showed us all what it means to be truly strong. As a lifelong parishioner of St. Anthony’s Church, whenever she was healthy and able, she never missed an opportunity to practice her faith. She would tell us that she prayed for strength, and would say a prayer for all of us, as well.
Franca is survived and will be greatly missed by her children Rosalba (Walter), Franco, Tony (Dawn) and Sandra (Chris) and her grandchildren Marcello, Andrew, Jack, Mia, Benjamin and Nico. She also leaves behind numerous family and friends here and abroad.
She was predeceased by her beloved son, Marcello, her husband Domenico, her parents and siblings.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 28, 2022 in St. Anthony’s Church, 123 Hilldale Road, where the Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Rev. Luigi Filippini. Entombment will follow in the family mausoleum, St. Andrew’s Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre.
