Obituary of MAFRICA – Teresa

1921 – 2010 Teresa Mafrica passed away peacefully in Calgary during the late hours of Wednesday, September 29th, 2010 at the age of 89. Teresa was born to Antonio Mafrica and Francesca Cuzella in Bova Marina, Italy. She was raised on a farm outside of Palizzi. On December 29th, 1942 she married Leone Mafrica. Teresa and Leone started their life together in a one room home on the Mafrica homestead. Leone went off to war under the #10 Reggimento Artiglieria D’Armata in the Italian Army. He was captured by the Germans and spent several years in Forsberg, Germany Stalag 111B. Teresa and Leone had one son, Leo Dominic. Life in Italy was difficult after the war. In 1952, by the kind request of Teresa’s friend Catherine Serani and sister, Leona Priolo, their family traveled across the Atlantic Ocean on the ship “Sarturnia” to Canada. They arrived in Calgary on March 6th, 1952. Teresa and Leone established themselves here and started living a new life. Teresa enjoyed the majority of her life supporting the endeavors and activities of her husband, son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. Their accomplishments were a great source of pride to her. Her kindness was well known, as was her legendary, delicious spaghetti. She was active in Calgary with her family and friends, but also enjoyed many summer trips to Banff and various parts of British Columbia. She especially enjoyed travelling to Las Vegas and Italy with her son and husband. Teresa worked hard and loved to travel, but her greatest joy was visiting her friends and relatives. Although her health deteriorated quickly over the last several weeks, Teresa departed this earth on a beautiful Fall day to be reunited with her husband, Leone. She will be lovingly remembered by her son Leo, her daughter-in-law Nina, her grandchildren Marco and Marchella, her sister Leona Priolo with children Tony, Frank, Carmela, and Angela, her sister-in-law Teresa with children Tony, Frank, Carmela, Angelo and Victor. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Monday, October 4, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (640 – 19th Avenue N.W.) on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. Graveside Service to follow in St. Joseph’s Section at Queen’s Park Cemetery. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes in Teresa’s honour may be made directly to the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank Society, 5000 – 11 Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 2Y5, Telephone: (403) 253-2059, www.calgaryfoodbank.com. Our family would like to thank the staff at Newport Harbour for the wonderful care and support of Teresa over the years, especially Barbara and Peggy, her companions. Also, we would like to thank Dr. Stinton for his care, and Dr. Savoia for her help and concern. We would also like to thank Dr. Fisher and the staff at the Peter Lougheed hospital for being so compassionate while Teresa was under his care. In living memory of Teresa Mafrica, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.