VIANI Delores

Dolores Viani

1927 – 2015

Dolores Viani of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Antonio Viani, passed away peacefully at the age of 88 in the Lethbridge hospital following a fall where she broke her leg close to the hip.

Dolores Ciolfitto was born April 22, 1927 in Civitanova del Sannio Italy, a little town east of Rome where she was raised and later met and married her husband – Antonio Viani and later welcomed a son – Joseph Thomas in September of 1951. Dolores worked their land while Antonio worked in Belgium in the coal mines to save enough money to immigrate to Canada which they did in 1959. They traveled by boat from Rome to Halifax Nova Scotia, then by train to Lethbridge where they were met by other family members and friends.

Dolores worked various jobs in Lethbridge – Canadian Linen, Park Plaza, El Rancho Hotel and the Ericksons Restaurant before retiring in 1984.

Gardening was her favorite hobby which kept her very busy most of the year. She used every square inch of her yard for all the vegetables and flowers. Her garden was incredible with beans growing to over 6 feet high all carefully tied up to poles, as well as cucumbers, peas, zucchini, potatoes, lettuce and the best tasting tomatoes anywhere, which she freely shared with her family and neighbours. When she wasn’t in her garden she was canning or freezing all that produce or making the best pasta and sauces and homemade donuts and congelle which she loved to make for her three grandchildren.

Dolores was predeceased by her mother Cristina Fiorante (Ciolfitto) in the early 1950’s while still in Italy, and her father Felice Ciolfitto, who followed the family to Canada in the mid 1960’s passed away in 1983 here in Lethbridge. She was also predeceased by her sister and only other sibling, Giovanna (Ciolfitto) Padula in 1991.

Dolores is survived by her devoted son and only child, Joseph and his wife Brenda. Dolores is also survived by three beautiful grandchildren, Tracey Viani, Tony (Savrina) Viani and Michael Viani all of Lethbridge and all of whom she is very proud of as they are very special to her. She was very happy to hear she has a great-grandchild on the way.

Family and friends are invited to pay respects between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4th St. S., Lethbridge.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at First Baptist Church, 1614 5th Ave. South, Lethbridge with Dr. Bruce Martin officiating. Interment to follow in Mountain View Cemetery.

Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.