Obituary of Lina Di Franco
Di Franco, Lina - We are incredibly blessed to have had such a wonderful mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother in our lives. Lina was completely selfless, loving, devoted to faith and family, and as generous as they come.
Lina is greatly loved and deeply missed by her four children, Dominic (Ellen), Mike (Georgette), Tony (Bambina) and Mario (Carrie). Her grandchildren, Matthew (Carrie), Melissa (Aaron), Jeremy (Lisa), Chelsea, Christina (Andrei), Victoria and Sofia will deeply miss hearing Nonna ask them what they want to eat, being told to put slippers on their feet, and to hear stories about family, Italy and her knitting. Her great grandchildren Benjamin, Mikaia, Gracie, Gage and Emmie will miss making pasta and soup with their Nonna and granddaughter Sofia will miss pizza Saturdays. Also left to mourn Lina is her brother Larry, sister Maria Vittoria in Italy, brother in-laws Joe (Vittorina) and John (Maria), and many nieces and nephews. Lina is predeceased by her husband of 69 years Mario, her brother Domenico, her sister-in-law Grace, her sister-in-law Antonietta (Vittorio), sister-in-law Filomena (John), and brother-in-law Pietro (Carmella).
Lina was an original member of the B.V. Della Grazie women’s committee and annually ensured the floral arrangements were perfect for our Blessed Mother. She was very involved in St. Alfred’s Parish as a lay minister and faithful parishioner. Our mom was also a seamstress, spent many hours knitting various items for everyone in addition to making wonderful crochet art.
Lina was born in Castellino Del Biferno on April 4th 1931. Lina married Mario on January 7th 1951. Lina brought her first two children Domenic and Michael over from Italy to begin their new life together after Mario, who arrived earlier in Canada, worked hard for nine months to raise enough money to do so. Lina supported Mario as he ran a plastering business for over 40 years by taking phone calls and even helping to measure client houses. Lina passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on February 5, 2022 with family beside her. Faith and devotion to our Savior were her guiding lights through life and a path to Heaven. Family and friends will gather at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines on Wednesday February 9, 2022 from 10:30 AM to 12:45 PM followed by a 1 PM Funeral Service at St. Alfred‘s Church, 272 Vine St. Entombment to follow at Pleasantview Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations to Red Roof Retreat.com or Spelling to Comminicate I-ASC.org would be appreciated by the family.
Due to COVID-19 regulations anyone wishing to attend the visitation at the funeral home must email your appointment time request to rsvp@dartefuneralhome.com or call 905-937-4444. Anyone wishing to attend the visitation must show Proof of Double Vaccination for COVID-19 and photo identification. Church seating is limited to 300 people. Anyone unable to attend the Mass at St Alfred's, you can view a Livestream of the Mass by going to St Alfred's Website - www.stalfredcatholicchurch.ca and clicking on the link for the livestream.