Obituary of Giuliana Bechelli

October 26, 1928 – Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

May 8, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Giuliana Bechelli (nee Bertocchini) on Monday, May 8, 2023, at the age of 94 years.

Giuliana was born in Lucca, Tuscany, Italy on October 26, 1928, to Savarino and Cesarina Bertocchini. In 1952 she married the love of her life Giuseppe Bechelli. Giuseppe immigrated to Canada in 1958 to join his mother and his brothers. In 1959 Giuliana along with their only daughter, Daniela, left Italy to join her husband. They landed in Halifax in November of that year and travelled by train to Calgary where they resided.

Giuliana worked in the Holy Cross Hospital, which later became the Calgary General Hospital, for 35 years in the laundry. During this time, she formed many friendships which have been carried throughout her life. She worked extremely hard during those years and made sure she was able to provide a good life for her family.

Giuliana was devoted to her faith and an active member of Saint Andrews Church, later Our Lady of Grace (Mary, Mother of the Redeemer). She sang in the Italian choir and worked fundraising to benefit the church.

Her greatest joy was being surrounded by her family and her friends and especially her great-grandchildren.

Giuliana is pre-deceased by her parents Savarino and Cesarina Bertocchini. Her brother Luigi Bertocchini and her son-in-law Gordon Grossberndt.

Giuliana is survived by her daughter Daniela Grossberndt (nee Bechelli), by her grandchildren, Amanda Joly (Ryan Daniels) and Jonathan Grossberndt (Jeannine); her great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Emmett Joly, and Laelynn Grossberndt; her sister-in-law Mirella Bertocchini, of Italy; her nieces and nephews, Barbara and Mario Taddeucci (Julia and Luca), Claudio and Manuela Bertocchini (Fabio and Martina), Ugo and Letizia Bertocchini (Sophia) and Simona Bertocchini (Andrea), all of Italy; as well as her niece Margaret Forkheim and family of Calgary. She is also survived by her extended family in Italy.

We would like to thank Dr. Kathy Savoia and Barb, Dr. J. Kubik and Unit 52 at the Peter Lougheed Hospital, Bayshore Home Health, and the Pastoral care of Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, for all the care they provided.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish (1714 – 14th Avenue N.E., Calgary, AB) on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Mausoleum (3219-4 Street N.W., Calgary, AB). Reception to follow at Mary Mother of the Redeemer Hall.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com.

In living memory of Giuliana Bechelli, a tree will be planted in the Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnes and Holloway Funeral Home.

Riposa in pace per sempre mamma!