Obituary of Angelina Giannetto

Angelina Giannetto March 20, 1932 - June 21, 2018 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Angelina Giannetto during this year's summer solstice. Angelina, who was 86, resided in Joseph Creek Care Village and succumbed to old age with family at her bedside. She lived in Cranbrook for 55 years. Angelina was born in Furci Siculo, Sicily on March 20, 1932. She grew up in the rural area of Grotte, the daughter of a lemon farmer. Her wish as a young girl was to become a teacher; however, the American-led invasion of Sicily during World War II interrupted her formal education. She later trained as a seamstress. She also worked on the family farm, harvesting lemons and olives, and cooked the family meals. She produced beautiful hand-made linens and tailored garments. Angelina had two sisters, Santina and Gesumina, and one brother, Nunzio, who survived into adulthood. Two siblings died in infancy, another at the age of nine. In 1958, Angelina married Giuseppe Giannetto, a metal worker, and had a daughter, Maria Concetta, the following year. Early in their marriage, Giuseppe worked in Germany and then built and operated a forge in Santa Teresa di Riva. In 1963, following her elder sister Santina, Angelina and her young family immigrated to Canada and arrived in Cranbrook. Her husband immediately went to work for Canadian Pacific Railway, and her son, Robert Carmelo, was born in 1964. Angelina worked as a professional cook for a number of prominent restaurants during the 1970s and 80s. However, her true passion was building houses and buying and selling real estate in Cranbrook. She also crafted custom drapery for clients of Tax Home Furniture and provided independent seamstress services. Angelina had a generous heart - she loved helping others and volunteered with the Ladies' Hospital Auxiliary for over a decade. She took up bowling late in life and enjoyed playing cards. She also had a feisty spirit. An LPN at Joseph Creek Village recently said, "She had more personality in her fist than some people have in their whole body!" Angelina loved making Italian food for her family and friends and could quickly endear herself to strangers. However, she also suffered from a sometime debilitating mood disorder that eased with proper treatment and advanced with age. Angelina was predeceased by her father, Paulo Manuli, her mother, Venera Prestipino, her sister, Santina, her brother, Nunzio, and her husband, Giuseppe. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Forrest (Tim), her son, Rob (Catherine Merlo), her granddaughter, Lauren Forrest (Andi Kerenxhi), her grandson, Zachary Forrest (Caitlyn), and her great granddaughter, Scarlett Forrest. A private Catholic funeral service was held on June 24, 2018 with Father Jim Ratcliffe officiating. The family would like to thank Joseph Creek Care Village staff for their enduring help as well as Hali Weisbecker of Interior Health and Dane Chasca of McPherson Funeral Home. Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service. Condolences for the family can be offered at: www.mcphersonfh.com