Obituary of Santina Sartorel

Sartorel, Santina (Miorin)

February 26, 1933 ~ May 28, 2020

With great sadness we announce that Santina passed peacefully on Thursday, May 28, 2020 at the F.W Memorial Green Home in Cranbrook, B.C., at the age of 87.

Santina was born on February 26, 1933 in Pescincanna, Commune di Fiume Veneto, Italia to Antonio and Teresina Miorin who were contadini (farmers) for the communities of Northern Italy. She grew up in Villa Franca de Cosano and Bania attending school till grade 5 during WW II.  Santina attended classes at a nearby home for pattern making then took a seamstress course. She then began working at a cotton factory in Fiume Veneto for 3 ½ years.

In January 1951 Santina met her husband while crossing the railway on bikes. They were married by proxy on May 9, 1953 in Fiume Veneto with her brother-in-law Ettore Verardo standing in for dad.

On August 20, 1953 Santina left her home for Canada, boarding the Flotto Lauro in Genoa, Italy spending the next 11 days crossing the Atlantic Ocean, docking at Pier 21 in Halifax, NS. She boarded the train travelling across Canada and arriving in Michel, B.C., on September 4, 1953.   

Santina gave birth to her first son John on June 3, 1954, second son Bruno on March 2, 1956, and twin daughters Marisa and Rosanna on June 10, 1960.

Mom spent 11 years cleaning the coal dust every day, keeping her home in very good order and raising her kids. The fact that mom crossed the Atlantic Ocean by herself to another country to arrive in the mining town of Michel/Natal took a great amount of courage; something bigger than most people of today know. This was an extraordinary feat that mom just took in stride as another part of life’s adventure.   

In 1965 the family moved to Sparwood then on November 1, 1969 a final move to Cranbrook where they eventually settled in the home on 7th street; Santina’s pride and joy. Santina loved to have company and the more people in the house the more delighted she was!

Mom was very spiritual and we went to church every Sunday when we were young; she enjoyed the church and the company picnics and heading up the Elk Valley to visit with family and friends. She loved music and had a beautiful voice. Mom devoted her time to raising us children, then babysitting the children of friends and also housekeeping jobs to earn a little spending money.

Mom loved spending time with her family and was elated when her grandchildren and great-grandchildren came into her world. She was famous for taking the time with her grandchildren to make cookies and of course pancakes in the morning after a sleepover. Santina was a kind, giving, caring Mama, Nonna, and Bisnonna who has left a huge void in all of our lives; but has left each of us richer for the time we had with her.

Santina leaves to mourn her sons John Sartorel, Bruno (Michelle) Sartorel and her daughters Marisa (Ron) Pighin and Rosanna Shubert; grandsons Robert (Traci) Pighin, Brandon (Erin) Pighin, Adam (Erin Mailey) Shubert, Aaron Shubert, Andrew (Taylor Pretty) Shubert and granddaughter Emily Sartorel in addition her 3 great-grandchildren Paityn and Paisley Pighin and Wyatt Pighin. She also leaves behind her brother Dante (Maria) Miorin along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews in Canada and Italy.

Santina was predeceased by her husband Bruno Sartorel, August 9, 1993, her parents Antonio Miorin December 9, 1967, Teresa Miorin (Riotto) December 23, 1996, her grandson Brent Ronald Pighin March 29, 2010, brother Camilo Miorin January 21, 2004, and nephew Luciano Miorin July 6,1992 and 4 brother-in-law’s and 3 sister-in-law’s.

A graveside mass was held with Father Aaron officiating on Monday, June 1, 2020 at 1:00 pm at the Catholic Cemetery in Cranbrook BC.

Those wishing to remember Santina may do so by making a donation to the FW Green Memorial Home, the Alzheimers Society of BC or The Heart and Stroke Foundation.

The family of Santina Sartorel would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the wonderful care she received while living at the F.W Memorial Green Home. The entire nursing staff, the Daybreak and Recreation team and the Rehab and Physio team were so good to Santina; we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Services.

Condolences for the family can be offered at:

www.mcphersonfh.com