Obituary of Caterina Secreti

 1946 - 2023

Caterina (Rina) Secreti, cherished wife of Salvatore Secreti, passed away on February 18, 2023, at the age of 76 years in Calgary, AB.

Rina was born on August 3, 1946, to Maria (Barberio) and Luigi Rota, in San Giovanni in Fiore, Cosenza, Italy. Rina grew up in San Giovanni in Fiore with a loving family and many friends. One of those friends was Salvatore and they knew each other since they were children. Her childhood was an idyllic time in her life, which she recalled fondly and had many stories to tell. When Rina was a teenager, Salvatore immigrated to Canada. Then in 1966, Rina made the brave move to Canada (in the winter!) to marry Salvatore, where they began their new life together.

Rina worked extremely hard to learn English and took many jobs to make ends meet. She worked for nearly 40 years in many roles, starting with the Calgary Police Service, Hudson's Bay Company, a local bakery and lastly at Walmart, all while raising her two sons, being a devoted wife and helping to raise her grandchildren.

In addition to work and family life, Rina held countless volunteer roles at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish such as alter server, extraordinary eucharistic minister, pastoral care (delivering communion to the sick and elderly), sacristan, funeral assistance, bake sales, fund raising, City View party planning and selling tickets.

Rina loved to cook and bake! She was an excellent cook and really enjoyed cooking and baking for family and friends. She lovingly prepared elaborate and delicious meals for the people she loved so dearly. Family was of the utmost importance to Rina. She unconditionally loved and cared for her family with all her heart.

Her ultimate pride and joy happened when she became a Nonna. She adored her three grandchildren and absolutely enjoyed every moment she spent with them. They were her entire world! She always prioritized her loved one's needs ahead of her own. She was just as devoted to her friends, and she loved to help all people and was always kind to others no matter who they were. Sadly, she suffered for many years with her debilitating illness but never dwelled on it, instead she focused her attention on others.

Rina is survived by her loving husband, Salvatore; their sons, Giuseppe (Leanne) Secreti and Luigi (Shannon) Secreti; grandchildren, Jonah, Marco and Aliya, of Calgary; two sisters, Teresa Alessio and Giavanna (Franco) Angotti of San Giovanni in Fiore; as well as beloved sisters and brothers-in-law, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Rina is predeceased by her parents, Maria (Barberio) and Luigi Rota; her in-laws, Lucia (Pignanelli) and Giuseppe Secreti; her brother-in-law, Alessino Alessio, all of San Giovanni in Fiore; and her sister and brother-in-law, Rosa and Salvatore Marra, of Inwood, New York.

The family would like to thank the clergy and parishioners of Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish, and the devoted medical staff at the Peter Lougheed Hospital, Care West Glenmore, Millrise Seniors Village, and lastly the South Campus Hospital, where she spent her final weeks in their care.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to remember and commemorate the life of Rina Secreti by visiting https://www.scleroderma.ca/donate and select MEMORIAL fund, to make your contribution.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a Celebration of Rina’s Life, held at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish (1714 – 14 Avenue NE, Calgary, AB) on Friday, February 24, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Rina Secreti, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.

Click Here to View Rina Secreti's Memorial Card