GIANNOTTA, Raffaella

In Loving Memory of Raffaella (nee Doni) Giannotta, born March 15, 1928, Cosenza (Dipignano), Italy. Passed away peacefully on Saturday October 9, 2021, at Health Sciences North, Sudbury.

Beloved wife of 61 years, of Lombardo Giannotta predeceased 2009.Loving Mother of Eugenio (Rose Bonazza predeceased), Lucia (Vincent Reynolds), Lauretta and Luciano (predeceased).Cherished Nonna of grandchildren Mathieu Giannotta, Laura Bulfon (Denny), Michael Giannotta (Vanessa), Victoria Giannotta (partner Antonio Corrente), Cristina Evans (Norman), Alexander Reynolds (Martine), and Anthony Reynolds; Great Grandchildren Mia Rose, Massimo, Logan, Lily, Aria, Gwen Julianna, Nathaniel, Gabriel, Andrew, and Sofia.Dear Daughter of SaverioDoni (wife Carmenia nee Zannuto) of Italy, both predeceased.Loving Sister of Francesca Bruno of Sudbury (Giuseppe, predeceased), Liliana Mazzuca of Italy (Giovanni, predeceased), Rita Guarascio of Italy (Francesco, both predeceased), Ettore of Italy (predeceased) and Giuseppe Doni of Sudbury (Delfina Spadafora, both predeceased). Sadly missed by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.In 1964, Raffaella with her two young children immigrated to Canada from Cosenza, Italy, to join her husband Lombardo, who had paved the way by immigrating to Canada the year before, settling in Sudbury, Ontario.

Many were the sacrifices and challenges incurred by both Raffaella, and her husband Lombardo in acquiring a home, ensuring that their two children pursued top notch education, for better opportunities, and a better life than their own.In addition to maintaining her household, and inspiring her children to excel, Raffaella worked maintenance at Laurentian University starting in 1965 after the purchase of a home in the West end of Sudbury, until her retirement in 1991.Raffaella loved gardening, cooking, crocheting, and knitting. After the passing of her beloved husband of 61 years her health began to deteriorate. The last 5 years have been especially difficult for her, due to mobility issues and other ailments. Right to the very end, Raffaella has always fought a courageous battle, finding her way forward each time she has had a set back. Raffaella will be remembered for her hard work, her love of family, her strength, her courage, and her strong will power.

Resting at the Jackson and Barnard Funeral Home, 233 Larch St., Sudbury. (Friends may call 4-8pm Wednesday with parish prayers at 4:30pm Wednesday. Facemasks and social distancing required). Funeral Mass in Holy Redeemer Church, 1887 Bancroft Dr., Sudbury on Thursday, October 14, 2021 at 10am. Entombment in the Civic Cemetery Mausoleum. Donations to Diabetes Canada, Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Finlandia SISU Foundation would be appreciated. For donations or messages of condolence, www.lougheedfuneralhomes.com

For those who wish to view the mass online: www.holyredeemerchurch.ca