TERESA BRUNO
'the little lady with the great big heart'
Sweet natured, always generous and unfailingly kind-hearted, loving wife, devoted mother and precious nonna TERESA BRUNO, born March 12th, 1932 to Gaetano and Rosina Fata, passed away at home on Sunday, the 8th of December 2013, at the age of 81, in the arms of Alfredo, her husband of 59 years, and surrounded by her precious children.
Teresa and Alfredo were married in the village of Grimaldi, Italy in April 1954. In 1961, with first son Salvatore in tow, guided by their hopes for a better life as well as a shared, unyielding sense of determination, they left Italy to emigrate to Canada. In her adopted nation, to her everlasting joy, their lives were further blessed by the addition of two more children, son Mario and daughter Santina. Together in Kamloops, through much hard work, the family built and shared a life filled with much love, many joys, and bounties they'd once dared only to dream of. Teresa spoke often of her love of Canada, it's many freedoms and the gifts of so many opportunities. One of her proudest and most significant achievements was the grant of Canadian citizenship, which she studied for and received during the Spring of 1972.
Teresa is survived by husband Alfredo, sons Salvatore "Sam" (Coral) and Mario "MJ" (Catia) and daughter Santina "Tina" (Don), grandchildren Kaitlin & Justin Bruno and Steven Mitchell. Survived also by sisters Eugenia (Paul) Bruno, Elena (Paolo) Bruno and Lucia (Francesco) Bruno, all of Kamloops. She also leaves behind her two brothers Carmine (Teresa) Fata and Gaetano (Gilda) Fata and sister-in-law Luigina Bruno, all of Grimaldi, Italy and brother-in-law Egidio (Ada) Bruno of Kamloops.
Teresa was predeceased by her father Gaetano Fata, mother Rosina Fata, step-father Francesco Fata, sister Marietta Pucci all of Italy and sister Erminia Bruno of Sault St. Marie, Ontario. Teresa was also predeceased by brothers-in-law Emilio Pucci, Battista Bruno, Vittorio Bruno, sister-in-law Carmela Bruno and nephew & Godson Marcello Bruno.
Zia Teresa was much loved for her attentiveness, kindness and generosity to her many nieces and nephews in Kamloops, Ontario, and Italy, as well as by friends and neighbours, both long-known and newly met. She was widely admired for the volume and variety of produce she grew every year in both front and back yards which she was always quick to offer and share with others. Teresa was at her happiest when she could prepare and enjoy a meal with her loved ones. She was even more delighted if they would then accept her offer to take home left-overs (which were inevitably accompanied by bags filled with treats and treasures from her pantry or her garden).
Prayers will be held Sunday, the 15th of December @ 8:00 p.m. and Funeral Services will follow the next day, Monday, the 16th of Dec. @ 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 255 Nicola Street, Kamloops, BC, V2C 2P3. Burial will follow at the Pleasant Street Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled by Schoening Funeral Services.
The family wishes to acknowledge & express appreciation for the wonderful medical care given by Dr. Patterson over many years and to Dr. Mosewich for his medical care once he became involved several years ago. We wish to thank Father Paul Simms for his prayers with and for Teresa and also to express particular gratitude to the first responders.
In lieu of flowers donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, in memory of Teresa, will be appreciated.
Condolences may be expressed at www.schoeningfuneralservice.com