Rosa Rosso passed away peacefully on June 3, 2016 at Mount St. Mary Hospital. She was born on September 25, 1915 in Muzzana del Turgnano, Italy. Rosa married her beloved Gelsino Giuseppe Rosso on January 30, 1934. Together they set up a barber/beauty salon business in Milan until this was interrupted by WW II. By 1950, Rosa was a devoted mother to Luisa, Zina and Etta. Giuseppe emigrated to Canada in 1951 while Rosa looked after the family and business. In 1953, Rosa immigrated to Canada to be reunited with Giuseppe. Travelling with three daughters in February, across the Atlantic, they landed in Halifax, Pier 21 and boarded the train to Vancouver where they were welcomed by Uncle Giovanni, Aunt Beatrice and their family, followed by the ferry crossing to Victoria. 
The Mauro family and Jim and Dodie Forsyth were instrumental in assisting Rosa after her arrival. They built their “casetta in Canada” surrounded by a garden of flowers, fruit trees, and vegetables. Joe and Rosa assisted new Italian Canadians and helped to found The Leonardo da Vinci Centre. They supported St. Andrew’s Cathedral by serving on the Parish Council and by participating in the CWL. Education was a valued priority passed on to their family. Rosa will be remembered as a lively, responsible, independent, and strong person who was grateful to her adopted homeland, her community, and the church. Predeceased by her husband in 1998 and her daughter, Luisa in 2015, she is survived by daughters, Zina and Etta; grandchildren, Laura (David) Nuttall, Zoael Makrysta, Dean (Maria) Barnieh, Lianne (David) Morin, Nadia (Derek) Barnieh; great grandchildren, Emily and Sarah Nuttall, and Tea Morin.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Andrew’s Cathedral on Wednesday, June 8 at 12 noon. She will be interred at Ross Bay Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mount St. Mary Hospital, 861 Fairfield Rd. The family wishes to thank all the staff in Garry Oak and Mount St. Mary for their care and dedication in support of Rosa and the elderly. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall’s Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
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Janet Cullis
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Janina Wetselaar Dear Etta and Zina,
I am so sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. It is a sad thing to lose one’s parents, and I give my deepest sympathies.
Etta, I am living in Mill Bay now and would love to see you again if you care to look me up.
I have good memories of our early years,With love,
Janina Wetselaar
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Ann Marie Spruyt-Francis Hello Etta and Zena
Wishing you and your families Sincere Sympathy on the passing of your mother. She lived a long and active life and is now at rest. My own mother is 98 years old and in Glengarry Hospital. She is of sound mind but her body is tired. I mentioned to her about your mom and she remembered where you lived. Mom was hoping for Mt. St. Mary but no beds were available.
Sincere regards
Ann Marie
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Lianne Barnieh Dear Mom,
Sorry I can’t be with you today, but will think of Nonna fondly as you celebrate her 100 years on earth! So glad we were able to celebrate her life all together in August.
Love you lots,
Lianne
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Vic Simeoni To: Zina, Etta and their respective families. My deepest condolences on the passing of your Mom. When we arrived in Victoria in 1953, it was a comfort and a pleasure to be introduced to your family as you were virtually our first friends in this new country where the language and culture was dissimilar to our own. It is difficult to believe that so many years have gone by since our arrival in Canada and that the passing of so many years has resulted in the deaths of many of our relatives and friends and we are the less…My thoughts are with you. Vic.
Dear Zina and Etta,
I am so sorry to be so late in sending condolences but I just heard about the passing of your mother. I have such fond memories of our time together on Princess Street and then visiting from Edmonton to your 5th Avenue home. I hope all is well for you and your families.
Sincerely,
Janet McAllister Cullis