MARIA ANNA (MARY) TORCHIA -

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MARIA ANNA (MARY) TORCHIA 1908 - 2002 Our grandmother and great-grandmother, Mary (nee Caligiuri) died peacefully, on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at the Riverview Health Centre. Mary was born in Amato, Italy on September 17, 1908. Her father and brother Dominic immigrated to Canada before 1920, followed by her sister Katerina and Mary. One brother remained in Italy with their mother. Mary worked in her brother Dominics store and restaurant at the corner of Logan and Sherbrook while attending Pinkham Elementary School where she completed the sixth grade. At the age of sixteen, she married Gabriel Torchia and shortly after moved into their home in Transcona where Mary lived for over 70 years. It was in this home that their two boys, Joe and Dominic (Mico) were born. Tragically, both sons died in early middle age and within a very short time of each other, each leaving a wife, Josephine (nee Smith) and Win (nee Harvey), and young children. Mary was also predeceased by Gabriel who died in 1977. Lifes circumstances did not allow Mary the opportunity to spend time with each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren but she continued to hold a loving place in her heart for all of them. Her special joys were great-grandchildren, Muriel and Erik (Dr. Mark and Barbara Torchia), with whom she cherished weekend lunches and the opportunity to retell lifes stories, Kelsey and Cole (Lisa and John Zadro), and granddaughter Michelle Varteniuk (Gerry) of Ottawa. Mary also leaves grandchildren, Leslie Hart (Victor and great-grandchildren, Jennifer, Allison, and Michael), Donna Cowan (and great-grandchildren, Hillary and Sarah), Nancy Saunders (Gary) of British Columbia, and daughter-in-law Win Torchia. A quiet memorial mass will be held on Saturday, August 31, at 10:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, 425 Rosseau St. E. in Transcona. A private entombment at the Assumption Cemetery has taken place. Mark and Barbara, would like to thank the staff of Riverview Health Centre CD-2, especially Wanda, Linda, Cathy, Pat, and Carol for their gentle care of Mary. At Marys request, please do not send flowers. Donations, in Marys name, may be made to the Surgical Oncology (Account No. 7897), St. Boniface General Hospital Research Foundation, 409 Tache Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2H 2A6. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 30, 2002