August 16, 1925 – October 30, 2022
Passed away peacefully with family by her side at her home at the Elliott on October 30, 2022 in her 98th year. She is finally reunited with her beloved Tony and three of her children, Joe, Louise, and Fred.
Della (Dal Zilio) was married to the late Anthony (Tony) Cremasco (2011) for almost 65 years. She was the cherished mother of Tom (Miesje), Steven (Karin), Joe (1985), John (Arlene), Louise (2018) and Fred (2020). Della was the proud grandmother of Aaron, Jason, Darryl, Laura (Scott), Stacey (Stinziani), Brad, Marie, and Elizabeth. She was the loving great-grandmother of Kirin, Miranda, Sophia, Lucas, Ethan, Erik and Ivi; and aunt to many special nieces and nephews. She was a devoted sister to Theresa (Fischer), Stella (Hendry) and Carlo (Dal Zilio) and predeceased by her sister, Mary (Daminato) and her parents, Charlie, and Helena (Lena) Dal Zilio.
Della was born and raised in Guelph Township on a market gardening farm with no indoor plumbing or central heat for most of her childhood. She attended a one-room country school, SS#4 with 8 grades. She worked at several jobs including Matthew-Wells Pickle Factory before marrying Tony and becoming a stay-at-home mom. They built their own home on a lot severed from her parents’ farm. Tony said he never thought they would have a beautiful house like that. Della’s sister, Theresa and the late Jack Fischer lived next door with their seven children down the hill from their brother, Carlo, the late Bev Dalzilio and their three children who lived on the farm. She and Tony raised six children along with homing pigeons, goats, banty hens, dogs, cats, and various other critters.
Della was a member of the Catholic Women’s League for 69 years at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church. She was a valued member of the Guelph Township Horticultural Society and Guelph Historical Society. She returned to school and worked for the Wellington County School Board as a school secretary for three schools when her children were older. She enjoyed working with her sister, Stella at AW Smith Jewellers. She also capably filled in full time for a maternity leave for Karin as a receptionist in her son Steve’s dental practice. She was a life-long learner and took interest courses for seniors at the University of Guelph. She flew to Rome with her sisters where they met their many relatives who still lived in Italy. At age 85, she travelled to Newfoundland to attend Darryl’s grad recital. Her many interests included golf, curling, bridge, bowling, and she was an avid reader. She and Tony followed the Blue Jays. They also enjoyed sight-seeing trips across much of Canada and United States with their travel trailer. She and Tony delighted in spending summers at their Sauble Beach cottage. She was an enthusiastic collector and furniture refinisher of antiques that she acquired from summers of garage sales. She enjoyed crocheting colourful afghans and lace tablecloths; and knitting cozy slippers for her family.
She moved from her beloved home and her carefully manicured gardens of 68 years to Guelph Lake Commons; and then to the Elliott where she enjoyed watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune with her sister, Theresa; and just recently to the Nottingham where she received excellent care from all the Elliott staff. She said she “liked her room” with pictures from her home and the furniture which she had collected surrounding her.
Della made friends easily. She was a wonderful hostess welcoming family, friends, and neighbours to her home. She also hosted the bridge club and the horticultural garden club where Tony was banished to another area of the house. She also helped to organize meals for the curling club bonspiels and church bazaars. We will certainly miss her freshly baked pizzelli cookies. She made everyone feel at home! We will all miss her giving heart and her delightful sense of humour. Whenever she asked us “What’s new?” and we answered, “Nothing,” she would exclaim, “No noose is good noose,” said the prisoner to the hangman.” J
Rest in peace, Della. We love you.
Friends will be received at the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, Monday, November 14, 2022 (Masks required) from 10 – 11 am. A memorial service will follow at 11 am. To attend the service remotely via Zoom go to www.wallcustance.com for the link. Reception to follow in the Wall-Custance Family Reception Centre. A private interment will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers or donations, Della has requested that a good deed be done in her name. However, if preferred, donations to Hospice Wellington, Children’s Wish Foundation or a charity of your choice can be made in her memory.
A tree will be planted in memory of Della (Adela) M. Cremasco in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.