Obituary for Carmela Virgilio (Cellitti)
CARMELA VIRGILIO
(nee Cellitti)
1932 – 2020
With her family by her side, Carmela passed away at the age of 88 years young on Sunday, June 21, 2020.
Carmela is survived by her loving children, Luciana (Giuseppe) Stangherlin; son Gerardo Virgilio; and her special grandchildren and great-grandchildren Marco (Kareen), Daniela, Cynzia (Kemper), Alexia (Tyler), Adam, Janna, Siena, Kairo, Elio, Grady, Flora and Domenic. Carmela will also be remembered by her siblings and in-laws in Canada and abroad: Palmina, Adele, Fernanda, Luigina, Egidio and Lucia and countless nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
On February 9, 1932, Carmela was the 3rd of 8 children born to Maria Domenica Petrocco and Paolo Cellitti in Scanno, Italy. At the age of 19, in the Appennini mountains, she met her husband of 53 years, Giovanni Virgilio who pre-deceased her in 2005. They married in 1952 and began their happy life together in the picturesque town of Villetta Barrea, Italy, working hard and raising their children.
In 1966, the family immigrated to Winnipeg to provide better opportunities for Luciana and Gerardo. Carmela worked as a seamstress, specializing in making beautiful coat samples while working at Victoria Leather. After 11 years in Canada, Carmela and Giovanni returned to their beloved Villetta Barrea where they enjoyed their retirement years. Their strong desire to be near their children and grandchildren brought them back to Winnipeg in 1990.
Carmela was an original resident at Villa Nova where she lived until effects of stroke and dementia required she move to a personal care home. Carmela was an important and dedicated matriarch of her close family. Her love of family and relentless determination resulted in her being an unprecedented caregiver – first, to her aging parents and then her husband all of whom she nurtured at home until the very end. Carmela always put the needs of others before her own and shared all she had. Her homes were always filled with food, family, friends, faith and fortitude.
A funeral mass for Carmela was held on June 25, 2020 at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church presided by Fr. Sam Argenziano followed by interment at Waverley Memorial Gardens.
Those wishing to honour Carmela’s memory can make a donation to The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba.
The Coutu family in care of arrangements:
E.J. Coutu Co. Funeral Directors
204-253-5086
ejcoutu.ca
(nee Cellitti)
1932 – 2020
With her family by her side, Carmela passed away at the age of 88 years young on Sunday, June 21, 2020.
Carmela is survived by her loving children, Luciana (Giuseppe) Stangherlin; son Gerardo Virgilio; and her special grandchildren and great-grandchildren Marco (Kareen), Daniela, Cynzia (Kemper), Alexia (Tyler), Adam, Janna, Siena, Kairo, Elio, Grady, Flora and Domenic. Carmela will also be remembered by her siblings and in-laws in Canada and abroad: Palmina, Adele, Fernanda, Luigina, Egidio and Lucia and countless nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
On February 9, 1932, Carmela was the 3rd of 8 children born to Maria Domenica Petrocco and Paolo Cellitti in Scanno, Italy. At the age of 19, in the Appennini mountains, she met her husband of 53 years, Giovanni Virgilio who pre-deceased her in 2005. They married in 1952 and began their happy life together in the picturesque town of Villetta Barrea, Italy, working hard and raising their children.
In 1966, the family immigrated to Winnipeg to provide better opportunities for Luciana and Gerardo. Carmela worked as a seamstress, specializing in making beautiful coat samples while working at Victoria Leather. After 11 years in Canada, Carmela and Giovanni returned to their beloved Villetta Barrea where they enjoyed their retirement years. Their strong desire to be near their children and grandchildren brought them back to Winnipeg in 1990.
Carmela was an original resident at Villa Nova where she lived until effects of stroke and dementia required she move to a personal care home. Carmela was an important and dedicated matriarch of her close family. Her love of family and relentless determination resulted in her being an unprecedented caregiver – first, to her aging parents and then her husband all of whom she nurtured at home until the very end. Carmela always put the needs of others before her own and shared all she had. Her homes were always filled with food, family, friends, faith and fortitude.
A funeral mass for Carmela was held on June 25, 2020 at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church presided by Fr. Sam Argenziano followed by interment at Waverley Memorial Gardens.
Those wishing to honour Carmela’s memory can make a donation to The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba.
The Coutu family in care of arrangements:
E.J. Coutu Co. Funeral Directors
204-253-5086
ejcoutu.ca