VIANI, Giuseppina “Josephine”

VIANI

GIUSEPPINA “JOSEPHINE” VIANI, beloved wife of the late Giuseppe “Joe” Viani, of Lethbridge, passed away at the St. Michael’s Health Centre, Palliative Care Unit, on Monday, July 11, 2016 at the age of 85 years.

She is lovingly remembered by her two sons, Angelo (Pam) and Tony (Linda), two grandchildren, Bryan and Kimberly and two great-grandchildren Kyeler and Alexis. Also left to mourn her passing are her two sisters, Maria and Felicetta of Civitanova del Sannio, Italy, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Josephine was predeceased by her husband Joe in 2014 and after 59 years of marriage.

Josephine immigrated to Canada in 1966 with her two small children, joining her husband who had arrived 3 years earlier to secure a job and create a home for the family. Almost immediately she began working at Ducan Industries as a seamstress. Later she was hired by Lethbridge Regional Hospital and worked as a housekeeper until she retired at the age of 59. Josephine loved to cook her special Italian food dishes for her family and friends. It was not unusual for her to spend days preparing for the big meal. She was a fabulous cook with her signature dish being her famous baked lasagne. Josephine was most proud when she was in her kitchen. She was known as “Josephine” to her English friends of whom she made many and known as “Pina” to her many lifelong friends in the Italian community.

Josephine attended Assumption Church and was an active member of the Catholic Women’s League. During the last few years of her life, the residents and staff of Martha’s House, Chinook Regional Hospital, and St. Michael’s Hospital all became fast friends. She was a very social person that enjoyed playing Mexican Train and Bingo with her friends at Martha’s House. Josephine also had a truly remarkable talent for remembering everyone’s first name and a little bit about them. She loved to travel back to her home town and was very proud of her Italian heritage.

Josephine will be missed by everyone who knew her but she will certainly never be forgotten. A special thanks to Randy and the care teams of CRH and St Michael’s; “She’s OK”.

A Prayer Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge AB, on Sunday, July 17th, 2016 at 7:00 P.M. with Len and Sandy Whyte officiating.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405-12th Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, on Monday, July 18, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Alfonse, Celebrant. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Lethbridge, AB.

In lieu of flowers and in memory of Josephine, donations are gratefully accepted to the Terry Fox Foundation, 6115-3rd Street SE, D10, Calgary, AB T2H 2L2.

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com