Dina Leonarda Varone age, 94 of Toronto passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at The Queensway Mississauga Trillium Hospital (MTH) at 12:55pm.
Beloved wife of the late Ciro Varone of Caserta, Italy. Cherished mother of Filomena Irving and her husband Scott Irving of Washburn, Maine, Angela B. Varone and her husband Paul Durban of Etobicoke, Ontario. Proud Grandmother to Alexandra and her husband Ryan Schaller of Montreal, Quebec, Jonathan Silber of Florence, South Carolina, Kenneth and Kamryn Irving of Maine, Nicholas Durban of Etobicoke. Cherished Great Grandmother to Octavia and Raven Schaller. Dearly loved sister to Tina (Alex), Maria, Gregory (Louise), Joe and departed brothers Tony and Tommaso (Caterina). Born to the late Francesco and Angela Stanisci on October 23rd, 1924 in Mola di Bari, Italy. Devoted Aunt and Godmother to Antonella, Angie(Rick), Joey(Kelly), Gioia, who provided unwavering love and support these last few months and always.
Mom leaves behind an extended family with many nieces and nephews. Mom had many very special friends including Oscar and Pauline Mushimiyimana, staff and members of the St Clair Services for Seniors Center where she was a member and long time volunteer and her two very special caregivers Dolma and Tsering who provided care and compassion not only to mom but to us.
Special thanks to the TMH Dr. Shulman Seniors Mental Health , the palliative team led by Dr. Hung, Lorraine and Adam who demonstrated compassion beyond words, and the many wonderful nurses and staff who made mom’s final days battling Alzhiemer’s, Dementia and an inoperable brain tumour filled with comfort and love. A special thank you to Jeff for his spiritual support and Debbie from the Dorothy Ley Hospice.
Mom lived an incredible life, she was a devoted wife and mother and our greatest cheerleader! She was embraced by our many friends and was a constant presence in many of our gatherings with close friends including the Brennan, Delaurentis, Durban, Domotor, Green, Irving, Lishchyna, Mitchell, Proctor and Vardalos-Karzai families.
Though mom was petite in stature she was a giant in strength and perseverance, she never gave up! Her spirit and undying love will live on in all of us whose lives she touched and those who were fortunate to receive one of her many hand-sewn creations. Our shopping trips to Marden's will never be the same.
A Celebration of Life and Internment will take place later this summer. Date to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trillium Health Partners Foundation, supporting the Palliative Care program at the Mississauga Hospital. Donate at trilliumgiving.ca/inmemory, by phone at (905) 848-7575 or by mail to Trillium Health Partners Foundation and/or the Senior's Mental Health Program at the Mississauga Hospital. Donate at trilliumgiving.ca/inmemory, by phone at (905) 848-7575 or by mail to Trillium Health Partners Foundation.
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