MATILDE MAGNIFICO

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MATILDE MAGNIFICO In 1923, in the town of Serra san Quirico in the district of Genga in the Italian province of Ancona, a beautiful blue-eyed, blonde-haired girl named Matilde, named after her Nonna, was born to Luigi and Antonia Mingo. When Matilde was two years old, father Luigi, in search of a better life for his family, left his wife and daughter and immigrated to Canada. Ten years later, Matilde and her family followed Luigi to begin their adventure in the new world. When she arrived in Winnipeg, Matilde and family settled in Old St. Boniface. She went to school at St. Josephs Academy where she met a lifelong girlfriend, Anna, with whom she began the start of a beautiful friendship that would shine for the next 65 years. In 1950, at 26 years old, Matilde married Giuseppe, who arrived from Italy in 1948, and they began a 53 year journey together. She prided herself as a mother to Roberto (Shelley), Teresa (Lucien), Franco (Jean), Adriano (Vicki), and Marco; as a Nonna to grandchildren Christophe, Lisa, Eric, Daniel, Michelle, Jayson, James, Matthew, Adam, Nathan, Joel, Alec, Jeremy, and Shannon; as a Bis-nonna to little Elizabeth. She loved each and every one of her family and made each person feel special and unique, especially during birthdays and holidays. Matilde, or "Ilde", to those who knew her well, raised her daughter and four sons on Traverse and Lawndale Avenues. Her kitchen table was always bountiful, prepared with gourmet care. She knew that the most important part of being a family was spending time together; and that those Saturday afternoons preparing pizza, with many little fingers spreading the dough, built strong ties and unbreakable bonds within the family. We will fondly remember her gentle smile and her never-ending patience with her cherished children and grandchildren. As she succumbed to cancer, Matilde never complained or blamed anyone for her circumstance. An ardent Catholic, she believed devoutly in Gods promise of a new life and felt blessed to feel the prayers and well wishes from her St. Thomas More congregation; and the love and support of Giuseppe and family by her side throughout her illness. She has left the world to join her mother Antonia, her father Luigi, and her brother, Antonio. Prayers will be said on Sunday, June 8, at 7:00 p.m., St. Thomas More Church, 66 Birchdale St. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 9 at 1:45 p.m., Holy Cross R.C. Church, 252 Dubuc St. with Father John Kracher, S.M. celebrant. Interment of cremated remains will be held at Glen Lawn Memorial Gardens, 455 Lagimodiere Blvd. A gathering of family and friends will follow in the Glen Lawn Reception Centre. Matilde and family are deeply appreciative of all the care and efforts of the sixth floor St. Boniface Hospital nurses and doctors. Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN LAWN FUNERAL HOME 455 LAGIMODIERE BLVD 982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 08, 2003