Mom was a devoted Wife, Mother and Grandmother.
As the Matriarch of the Family, she dedicated her time to cooking, baking, sewing, and very importantly cleaning her always meticulous home. Yes, you could eat off her squeaky clean floors.
Her passion was her garden, including tomatoes, beans, swiss chard, parsley, basil – but what really brought her joy was her Fig Trees. Mom could be seen picking and eating Figs right off the trees with such pride at the size and taste – we knew it took her back to her younger years in Italy. In 1962, Mom, Dad (late Luigi Ruffolo) and 22 month old Son (Ralph), set out to Canada for a prosperous future. The 3 set sail across the Atlantic, then the Train across Canada and finally by boat to their destination Victoria, BC.
Mom leaves behind her devoted Son, Ralph who was her full-time Caregiver and who never wavered during the last 10 years of Mom’s life. I know that my Brother prolonged Mom’s lifetime by being there for her 24/7/365 days of each and every one of those years. Mom also leaves behind her Daughter, (Me, Rita Soares), her gorgeous Twin Granddaughters, Belinda and Cecilia. Mom was one of 7 siblings and leaves behind her one surviving sister (Yolanda Boresta) in Cosenza, Italy. Many nieces and nephews in Italy and here in Victoria.
We have lost a very hardworking Lady who always provided her Family with love and dedication. We all love you and know you have reunited with Dad and carry on your love in Heaven. We are at peace knowing you are no longer suffering and that you are proudly admiring your Family from above.
Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church on 4040 Nelthorpe Street, Victoria, BC
Entombment to follow at Royal Oak Burial Park, 4673 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
13 Responses
So very sad to hear of Gilda’s passing. I’m envisioning she and Luigi in heaven, surrounded by the largest Italian tomatoes ever, basil rich and fragrant, and a SIMPLY MARVELOUS sauce bubbling away. We had the privilege of living only two doors away on Vanguard – I still close my eyes and breathe in that awesome smell filtering from their garage into our open windows. Time and time again we’d find a bag of fresh vegies and a jar of their best on our doorstep. Generous, caring and warm-hearted neighbours. Blessings sent your way, Rita, Ralph and family. xoxoxo Joan Nott
Rita and family:
Our deepest condolences for your family’s loss. No one will ever fill the place your mom holds in your heart. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. May your memories bring you some comfort along with the knowledge that she is at peace and back with the love of her life.
With love, Barbera & Christopher Pearson and Rosa Fanucchi
It is hard to believe that it is over 29 years since we moved in to the house next to Gilda and Luigi. David, our oldest son was nearly 3 and his brother Michael, just over three months old. Shortly after we moved in, we were surprised when David came to us with a handful of Ferraro Roche chocolates, and when we asked where he got them from he pointed next door, and said that when he knocked on the door a lady came and gave him chocolates. It was a trick he repeated many times, yet Gilda always seemed delighted to give him a chocolate. Luigi and Gilda always shared the bounty of their garden especially the tomatoes, and I remember the sound of Italian opera emanating from the garage, as the produce was processed – I think that Luigi liked to sing along. My father-in-law loved his conversations over the fence, and we would often hear Luigi and Gilda having an animated discussion about the weather (well at least I think it was about the weather – I don’t speak Italian). We lost Luigi far too soon, and life for Gilda was never quite the same. But she was still surrounded by you, her caring family, and despite her trails and tribulations, she had loving support. I will remember her for her generosity and neighbourliness. Rest in peace Gilda