Adelina (Aquino) Tignanelli

TIGNANELLI, Adelina (nee Aquino) January 22, 1924 – July 3, 2017

Adelina left behind the sweet tasting air of her village Pietrafitta, Cosenza, Italy, where she was born, the youngest of 9 children. She arrived in Canada in the deep of the night with her two children- son Elio, age 7 and daughter Marisa, age 3. Here they boarded the night train at Pier 21 in Halifax to the railway hub of North Bay in Northern Ontario. Her husband, Francesco (Frank) had made the same voyage two years previous, never flinching in his goals to unify his family and provide them with opportunity. Throughout her life, in quiet manner, she remained fiercely determined in all she endeavoured. A central part of her life started and ended in the kitchen. Here, community and God thrived. It was in the kitchen that bread was baked at 5 in the morning (always blessed before baking) and where afternoon cakes made from vegetable oil, flour and eggs, then sprinkled with icing sugar, brought other families (mostly relatives) over for loud, very loud conversation, espresso coffee and maybe a few glasses of wine.

In the kitchen Adelina was both master and servant. She listened and spoke no harm, ever. She was trusted always. She exuded love in all she said and did. She radiated all that was good and our home was always full.

Adelina is survived by her son, Elio (Marilyn) and her grandchildren whom she considered to be treasures. She often referred to her offspring as the jewels in her family crown. She will be missed profoundly by Rosa (Scott), Francesco (Maryse), Melissa (Jose), Daniella (Ralph), David (Joeleen), Matthew (Krista), Salvatore (Ozlem) and by her great grandchildren; Cadence, Morgan, Roman, Emerson, Adelina, Samuel, Olivia, Benjamin, Myles, Giuseppe and Anthony.

She is predeceased by her husband, Francesco and her daughter, Marisa Urso (Giuseppe-surviving). Also predeceased in her family of origin were her parents, Assunta and Antonio, sisters Marietta Falsetta, Fiorina Aquino, and Angelina Cirullo, and brothers, Francesco, Emilio, Vincenzo, Luigi, Giovanni and Amadeo.

In her final months of life Adelina has required the attention and service of numerous caregivers-PSWs-nurses- doctors and administrators. For our family, all of these individuals have proven to be graced people, many of whom are beyond descriptive words. At the top of the pyramid, standing tall, with many others is our own family physician, Dr. T. Rotonto, to whom we are indebted. Thank you to all.

Adelina’s life will be celebrated starting with visitation at McGuinty Funeral Home Limited (591 Cassells. St. North Bay) on Friday July 7, 2017 from 2 -4 pm and 7 – 9 pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Name of Jesus Church (146 Beth Avenue, North Bay) on Saturday July 8th at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Myeloma Canada or to Nipissing Serenity Hospice. Online condolences can be made at www.mcguintyfuneralhome.com

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