June 27, 1932 ~ September 15, 2022
Born in Sala Consilina, Italy
Our mom, Rosa was truly aptly named. A radiant timeless beauty with a fragrant sweet essence. The Rose, a symbol of love and balance, just like Mamma.
Our mother was commonly described as a one of a kind bundle of endless energy with a good dosing of spunk. Small but mighty. Hardworking, genuine and oh so wise with an adventurous and curious soul. Persistent and resilient. She was the keeper of family stories and a farm girl at heart. Our Rose was motherhood personified – we have no doubt we won the lottery on the mother front.
Mom was motion incarnate. Bombing around the hood with her wheels i.e. walker, regardless of the season. She has the distinct honor of having worn out her walker! And worn through the soles of her winter boots. To be still was torture. No idle hands here. Those crooked arthritis laden fingers could turn out some mean ravioli and meatballs. She desired to be productive and relevant – and she certainly was until her last breath.
Our mother lived her life adhering to the adage “fa bene che riceve bene” (do good, receive good). Mom readily doled out kindness to those she encountered – humans, critters and plants alike. In turn, she was often the recipient of benevolent gestures: strangers treating her to a cup of her beloved Tim Horton’s coffee or paying for her groceries, city bus drivers waving her fare, being routinely gifted flowers by the grocery clerk, being offered a car ride home from the likes of university students, getting a helping hand crossing the road from construction workers or local teens… the list is endless. Mom had a distinct endearing quality that seemed to naturally elicit kindness from others.
Our parents were a transplant to Guelph late in life. After losing their home and livelihood in the GTA they moved here to live with their daughter. Guelph proved to be a kind and generous community. Heartfelt “thank yous” to the many who bestowed a charitable word or deed especially during the pandemic.
Mom had a luminous spirit and will be forever missed by her children Andrew (Catharine) and Maria (Doug), her beloved grandchildren Joshua Casale and Sofia McLachlan, her siblings (Giuseppina, Teresa, Tony and Antoinetta), and her beloved nieces and nephews especially the “two Marias” and Pina. We find solace in knowing she has been reunited with her spouse of 57 years Francesco (Chico) as she has missed him deeply.
In navigating her final days, we wish to extend a thank you to the ER nurse Ashley, 70 nurses Ashley and Nicole, Father Bill Clark for always being present in our time of need, and most especially Hospice Wellington and the many angels that dwell within.
Friends will be received at the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at 10:30 am at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 175 Emma St., Guelph. Entombment at Our Lady Immaculate Mausoleum, Marymount Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, as per mom’s request, donations to Hospice Wellington and/or SickKids would be appreciated.
Mom may your three lifelong desires be fulfilled in heaven: mastering the English language, attaining your drivers license and pursuing an education. And may you dwell in the House of your dreams.
Tetelestai (It is completed)
A tree will be planted in memory of Rosa Casale in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.