Maria Giovanna Pace stood 4-foot-9 in heels, and she never wore heels.
Despite her diminutive stature, she towered over our family for many of her 92-plus years; her leave-taking from us on Sept. 28 tore a planetary-size hole in our universe. Such a large and constant presence was she at our family table, it is difficult to imagine how we will ever consume another meal, drink a glass of wine, let alone mark a family celebration or milestone, without her.
Depending on your generation, Maria was either Ma or Nonna to pretty much everyone. And loved by all.
One of five siblings born to Caterina and Giuseppe Cristiano, Ma started her life on Aug. 9, 1929 in Castelgrande, a mountaintop village south of Naples in the always sunny province of Potenza. It was there she met the love of her life, Pasquale Pace – Pa – the man with whom she would eventually cross the Atlantic in search of a better life, first in Montreal, later in Red Lake, a small mining town in northern Ontario.
In Red Lake, Ma and Pa, who we lost in 2009, raised six children. (A seventh child, a firstborn son, died in infancy while they were still in Italy.)
For the past 10 years, Ma’s home was Dundas, and the Dundas branch of her family was blessed by that decade.
Many are tragically diminished by age, but our family was fortunate beyond words in that Ma was ‘with us’ until the very end. In August, she held court at her 92nd birthday party, and had everyone in stitches as she sang and joked her way through a warm summer evening. Such a blessing.
Ma is survived by three sisters, Lucia, Vita Maria, Maria, all of Argentina, and her children Vito (Tracy) Pace, Peppi (Karen) Pace, Gerardo (Michelle) Pace and Claudia Pace, all of Red Lake and Vittoria Spinelli and Catherine (Dana) Robbins, both of Dundas. Nonna will be especially missed by grandchildren Aaron, Dana Jr., Jacob, Jessica, Kyle, Nicola, Riley and Taylor and great-grandson Brandon.
A funeral service will take place on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas.
Please register on the funeral home’s website – (Links are Below) – if you would like to attend as spots are limited due to COVID-19 spacing requirements.
Alternatively, friends and family can participate remotely by watching the service live online. (Remote participants should register on the Turner website prior to the service to receive an email link.)
Passed away peacefully on September 24, 2021, in his 69th year. Beloved husband of Terry (Griffin) for 47 years. Loving father to Andy (Leanne Chalecki) and Cindy (Sean Fallon). Proud Grandfather (‘Go-Go’) to his grandchildren Ben, Chloe, Max and Charlotte. Survived by his father-in-law Robert Griffin. Dear brother to Nancy (Tony), Sara (Brian) and Antonella, and brother in-law to Patty (Adrian). Loving uncle to his nieces and nephews and their partners. Predeceased by his parents, Annunziata and Andrea DeCola, his mother-in-law, Emma Griffin, and his brother-in-law, Rick Hazell.
Joe loved spending time with his family and enjoyed many large family gatherings filled with Italian cooking and wine. He had an incredible smile and sense of humour and was an adventurous soul. From a young age, Joe had a love of motorcycles. He owned 23 throughout his life and restored numerous vintage motorcycles with great pride. Joe fulfilled his dream of traveling across Canada on his motorcycle. Joe also loved the outdoors, hiking and walking with Terry. A strong cyclist, Joe enjoyed spending many hours riding with friends and by himself, which included early morning solo rides which he found therapeutic. Joe was always up for a challenging bike ride and took part in the Paris to Ancaster bike race multiple times. Many family memories were made on trips to Mexico. Early morning walks on the beach with Terry and afternoon tequila poppers by the pool. Joe, Dad, Go-Go, you were the best. We love you dearly and will always remember the joy that you brought to our lives. May you rest in peace.
Thank you to the General Hospital 7 West Neurosciences Ward for taking such good care of Joe over the past three weeks.
Friends and family are invited to Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main St., Dundas, on Wednesday, September 29 from 2-4pm & 7-9pm. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory to the Alzheimer’s Society of Hamilton.
Passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Monday, September 20, 2021 in his 76th year. Beloved husband of Suzanne (nee Taziar) for 55 years. Proud father to Wayne (Jacqueline), Sharon (Joe), Jason (Jennifer). Loving Papa to Jeffrey, Ryan, Alexa, Trevor, Jonny, Arden, and Callum. He will be missed by many extended family and friends. Edward retired from Dofasco after 38 years. He served as a volunteer firefighter in the Town of Dundas. Friends and Family are invited to Turner Family Funeral Home. 53 Main St, Dundas, on Sunday, September 26, from 1-4p.m. Donations can be made in memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Passed away peacefully on Sunday September 19th, 2021 at the age of 86. She will be dearly loved and forever missed by her children; Robert McKee, Linda McKee(Kinloch), Sandra McKittrick (Ken); grandchildren Kristie, Connor, Nicole, Ryan, Brad and Eric; great-granddaughter Raine; and all her step-children and step-grandchildren of the Walsh family. Beloved wife of the late Donald Francis McKee, and predeceased by her eldest son William(Bill) Mckee(Anna). Also predeceased by loving husband Leo Walsh. Joan worked as a secretary when she met our Dad. Upon becoming a Mom, she stayed home devoting all her time and love to her family, raising four children. Mom was a huge sports fan, although hockey was her favourite. It’s the only time she would ever cut a phone call short saying “The games on! Can I call you back?” It was such a privilege to have her as our Mom. She had an enormous heart and was always there with words of encouragement. She never missed a chance to watch her children and grandchildren shine no matter what it was. Always encouraging us to go after our dreams. She was immensely proud of her family, and leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories. She will forever hold a special place in our hearts that no one we ever fill. Friends and Family are invited to Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main St, Dundas on Thursday, September 23 from 6 until 9p.m. A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Augustine’s Church, 58 Sydenham St, Dundas, on Friday, September 24, at 10:00a.m.
With heavy hearts the Sanche family announces the passing of our beloved mother Dorothy (Popovich) Sanche at the age of 89. Mom is at peace now. Our Sunshine has passed away in body, but her loving shining spirit will live forever in our memories. Loving mother of 5 children; Debbie, Darlene, Donna (Paul), Mark and Darryl. Daughter to Milan and Tereza Popovich. Sister to 6 siblings. Grandmother to Jason, Tyler, Rene and Josh. Aunt to so many. Loved all, was loved by all. Mom loved her family but was especially close to her mother Tereza (Baba) whom she cared for unselfishly with love, courage and passion for 5 years until her mother passed. Dorothy was caring, a fun-loving spirit with a great sense of humour. Someone her children could talk to with ease and loved each equally. Mom loved animals, the outdoors and travel. Discovered her artistic side later in life. Her gardening and cooking skills were outstanding. Grew up on a farm in Welland and starting work at a very young age throughout the Niagara Region up to age of 49. Her biggest achievement was returning to school at age 50 to become an RNA, then working at Doctors Hospital in Toronto until her retirement. A proud moment for all. Her resilience, strength of character and positive outlook got her through some tough times where she adapted to whatever came her way without complaint. Mom, for everything we shared, the dreams, the laughter and the tears, we love you with a special love that deepened throughout the years. ”You will always be our Sunshine.” The family would like to thank the staff at Shalom Village in Hamilton who cared for mom for the past 7 years. A private visitation will be held on Monday, September 27, 2021 at Turner Funeral Home, Dundas. Burial to follow at Oakwood Cemetery, 10672 Lakeshore Rd, Wainfleet, ON for those who would like to attend at approximately 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Dorothy’s name can be made to the Alzheimer Society.
