Obituary of Ida AMATO

AMATO, Ida March 19, 1920 – Cosenza, Italy December 17, 2013 – Calgary, Alberta Ida beloved wife of Angelo Amato of Calgary, AB, passed away on December 17, 2013 at the age of 93 years. Ida immigrated to Canada from Cosenza, Italy in 1959. In 1962, she and Angelo bought their first home in Forest Lawn, Calgary – a duplex that they shared with her sister Raffalla Leone and her family. In 1990, she moved with her husband to their current residence in Thornhill, where she loved to cook big Italian dinners. A meal didn’t go by that she didn’t say ‘mangia’ at least 100 times. She spent many hours in her garden, tending to her beautiful flowers and growing vegetables that were the envy of the neighborhood. She was also an amazing mother to her daughter Anna Lucia and had a significant influence in her grandchildren’s Paige and Travis lives. Ida was very religious – a devout Catholic. She attended Sunday mass whenever she could at her church, Mother of the Redeemer Parish. Her greatest joy was spending time with family and friends, raising her grandchildren, tending to her garden and her loving husband of 53 years, Angelo. She supported her grandchildren in school events, loved to watch her granddaughter Paige dance in recitals, and her grandson Travis play basketball. Ida was not only known for her constant love of her daughter and grandchildren but for her strong will, compassion, generosity and always making time for everyone. Besides having both hips replaced in her eighties, she suffered a massive stroke in 2006, rendering her right side useless as well as impairing her speech with little hope for recovery. Through strong determination, stubbornness, hard work and the love and support of her family, she was able to recover enough to walk with the aid of her cane and walker. She found creative ways to cook, wash dishes, do laundry and enjoy her garden. Ida loved red wine and chocolates. When she returned home from the hospital this final time, the first thing she wanted was a glass of Angelo’s homemade wine. Besides her loving husband Angelo, Ida is also survived by her daughter Anna Lucia, her son in law Mickey Bodio, her precious grandchildren Travis and Paige Bodio, her sisters Raffalla Leone (Ernest Leone) and Anna Leone in Italy. She is also survived by countless nieces and nephews and their families in Canada, Italy and Argentina. She was predeceased by her parents Luigi and Angela Bilotta, her brother Carmine Bilotta (Rosaria), her sisters Maria Greco (Alfredo) and Elvira Greco (Luigi). Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Thursday, December 19, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at MARY, MOTHER OF THE REDEEMER PARISH (1714 – 14th Avenue NE) on Friday, December 20, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Mausoleum. Condolences may be forwarded through . In living memory of Ida Amato, a tree will be planted at Big Hill Springs Park Cochrane by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, Telephone: 403-276-2296.