July 3, 1930 – May 12, 2021

Quietly and peacefully and surrounded by her family, Maria Braida passed away at Kamloops Hospice in the very early morning hours of Wednesday, May 12th. She is now tending God’s garden and is reunited with the love of her life, our dad Lelio, who predeceased her in 2014.

Maria was born July 3, 1930 in Palazzolo dello Stella in the province of Udine in Italy to Giovanni and Catterina Rassatti. She met dad as a young teenager and they married in August 1953. Dad worked in the coal mines in Belgium so mom lived with his parents and raised her two oldest daughters, Ivana and Daniela, on the family farm. She and dad wanted a better life for their family so he came to Canada in 1955 in search of work and, after crossing the country from coast to coast, finally settled in Kamloops. In 1958, dad sent for mom and his two girls. It is hard to imagine how difficult the journey was for mom – she was 28 years old, spoke only Italian, and had a 5 year old and a 3 ½ year old as travelling companions. She came by boat from Venice to Halifax, landing at the now-famous Pier 21, along with many other Italian immigrants. From there, she and the two girls boarded a train and headed for Kamloops – a long 4-day journey on a train that mom called a “cattle car”, very unlike the more luxurious trains she was used to in Italy. Finally, the family was reunited and, within a year, the youngest daughter, Bertina, was born. Dad had bought a little war-time house on Pine Street and that is where he and mom spent all of their lives, raising their children, tending their gardens, and making a home.

Mom had very definite priorities in her life: her husband, her children, her grandchildren and her great granddaughter, cooking for family and friends, and her flower garden. She was a born homemaker who kept an immaculate house and made sure everyone was always well-dressed and well-fed. She loved to cook but was also an amazing baker. Her patience knew no bounds and she tackled complex cake and cookie recipes with great gusto. To this day, we all remember her famous ‘ice cream cake’ – a treat that was always requested for family dinners and birthdays! She also made sure that we grew up sampling all of the best Italian treats – crostolli and ‘peach’ cookies at Christmas, and panettone at Easter. When it came to her garden, roses were her most favorite flower and she had an abundance of them in the front yard of the little Pine Street house. Passersby often stopped by the front gate to compliment her on the beautiful display.

In the last few years, mom suffered from several debilitating illnesses and her health slowly declined. Her family is grateful that she is finally at peace, though she is dearly missed by all.

Mom was predeceased by her mother and father (Giovanni and Catterina), two sisters (Elidia and Beppina) and 4 brothers (Ettore, Gino, Italo and Anzu), and her husband of 61 years, Lelio. She leaves behind to cherish her memory three daughters: Ivana Hamm (Homer), Daniela Braida, and Bertina Mitchell. As well, she will be dearly missed by her two grandchildren, Ryan Mitchell and Kayla Cupello (Joe), and the newest apple of her eye – her 7 year old great-granddaughter Maria Cupello, along with many friends in the Italian community.

The family would like to thank Dr. T.M.A. Patterson for her great care as mom’s family doctor for many years. As well, they wish to extend their thanks to Dr. Montgomery and Dr. Rollheiser from 5 South at RIH, and nurses Kylie and Julie who took great care of mom during her nearly two week stay in hospital. The family is especially grateful for the care and compassion that was shown to our mom during her stay at Kamloops Hospice – they truly were special angels that helped her on her journey to a better life.

Mom’s funeral Mass was celebrated at Sacred Heart Church on Monday, May 17th by Father Thomas Arackal. Interment followed at Hillside Cemetery where she now rests next to dad.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations in mom’s name be made to the Kamloops Hospice Association in appreciation for the great care they gave mom during her last days. Donations can be sent to Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice.

Visit Schoening Funeral Service to offer a message of condolence.

 

 

• Date : 2021-05-12
• Location : Kamloops