Obituary of Carolina COLABELLA

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother and nonna, Carolina, at Wentworth Manor after a long and courageous battle with congestive heart failure on Friday, October 5 at the age of 74 years old. Carolina has been on an incredible journey the last couple of years. She suffered a stroke in 2008 and in between, numerous trips to the hospital. Despite the setbacks, Carolina stayed strong and often visited the Good Companions Seniors Club, a place where she was a loyal member for a very long time, and the place where she loved to spend time with her friends. Helping in the kitchen was where Carolina thrived. She was instrumental in ensuring the food at events and gatherings at the Club was prepared and that no one would be going home without full stomachs. Carolina had a competitive streak as well. She competed many times in the Alberta Senior Games and brought back many medals in carpet bowling. No one else could launch a ball and get the points like Carolina could! At home, Carolina enjoyed spending time in the garden especially tending to her prized sunflowers. Come spring, Carolina had every color of the rainbow blooming in her backyard, which put many gardens in the area to shame! Carolina is survived by her son, Gino, and daughter, Rina (Ben) and grandchildren Carter and Ava. She is also survived by brothers; Nicolino (Florinda) DiMarzo, Biagio (Ann) DiMarzo, Luigi DiMarzo (Charlotte Moran), and sister Maria King (Franco Pisicoli), sisters-in-law; Angela Maria Colombo and Elisa (Giovanni) DiMarzo, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and extended family; Michele & Santa Colabella and their family, Antonio & Rosario Mendoza, Brendan & Rochelle McMonagle and their children Kaden and Isabel. She was predeceased by her husband, Vincenzo (Vince), her father and mother Domenico & Antonietta DiMarzo, her father and mother-in-law, Luigi & Anna Maria Colabella and brother-in-law Michele Colombo. There have been numerous individuals and organizations that have helped Carolina along the way. We would like to sincerely thank the following; staff at Wentworth Manor & Father Lacombe Care Centre for giving Carolina loving, nurturing & compassionate care, Dr. Donald Gladman, Family Physician, Dr. Edmond Verbeek, Physician at Father Lacombe Care Centre, health care professionals and doctors at the Rockyview and Foothills Hospitals, Calgary Emergency Medical Services, Good Companions Seniors Club. Last but not least, thanks to all of our family, extended family and friends who visited and helped Carolina over the past couple of years. Without your unwavering support and kindness, this would have been a very difficult journey for all of us. Family and Friends are invited to Prayers at Holy Name Catholic Church (2223 – 34 Street SW), on Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Name Catholic Church (2223 – 34 Street SW) on Friday, October 12, 2012 at 11:00 am with the Rev. Robert Dielissen, Presider. Graveside Service to follow at the Holy Family Cemetery located at EdenBrook Memorial Gardens (17 Avenue SW & Lower Springbank Road, Calgary). Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If family and friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to any of these charitable organizations that helped Carolina along the way on her journey: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta (www.heartandstroke.ab.ca), Father Lacombe Care Centre Foundation (www.flccfoundation.ca) or The Brenda Stafford Foundation (Wentworth Manor)(www.staffordfoundation.org). In living memory of Carolina Colabella, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403)243-8200