LORENZI
Antonia
(Giuseppina)
Giuseppina Lorenzi passed away on June 17, 2005 at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, B.C. after a long, brave battle with pneumonia and myriad complications. She was surrounded by a family who loved her beyond measure, and the thoughts and prayers of people throughout the world whose lives she had touched. Giuseppina / Mamma / Nonna will leave an unbearable void in the lives of Antonio, her loving husband of 54 years; Deanna (Creaser), Fiorenza and Daniela, her daughters; Ian Creaser and John Gawthrop, her sons-in-law; and her beloved grandchildren Nicole Gawthrop and Nicholas Creaser. She is survived by one sister in Italy, Angelina Bibolotti, and is sadly missed by other in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews there.
Born in Camaiore, Tuscany on June 13, 1929, Giuseppina came to her new home in Canada in 1952. She spent her life lovingly raising three daughters and creating an maintaining a welcoming home for all. She was a paragon of selflessness and generosity, and was totally dedicated to the well-being of those in her care. Among the many things about her that will be missed include: her zest for life and adventure, her dignity, her impish sense of humour, her superlative cooking and, above all, her tenacity and commitment to her loved ones. This was always particularly evident in her dogged care and advocacy for her second child, Fiorenza, who was afflicted with MS at a young age and who has been cared for ever since by Mamma (and Dad) both at home and then at ECU, at the Campbell River General Hospital. Giuseppina’s unselfconscious sacrifice in what were to have been her “golden years” was an inspiration and lesson to many.
The family wishes to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses at the three ICUs in which Giuseppina was cared for: Campbell River, Royal Jubilee (Victoria) and St. Paul’s (Vancouver). All three ICU teams demonstrated astonishing depths of professionalism, respect and kindness which will not be forgotten. The fact that you all came to know and support Mamma’s spirit during her last weeks of struggle was a source of comfort and pride for us.
A funeral Mass and celebration of her life will be held at St. Patrick’s Parish church, at 34 South Alder Street, Campbell River, on Friday June 24, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow in Church Hall. Thursday night at 7:00 there will be a prayer vigil, also at St. Patrick’s. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Giuseppina’s name to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation—B.C./Yukon