Obituary for Domenica Rizzo
It is with deep sorrow that Domenica (fondly remembered as Mimma) Rizzo nee Campolo passed away on July 9. 2022 at the age of 92.
Domenica, the young woman of post-Second World War Italy entered Canada through Halifax at Pier 21 in 1952 in the dead of winter.
The story of this tough, strong woman, a fantastic cook who devoted her life to her family and loved to play cards, slot machines and cheer on the Toronto Maple Leafs deserves celebrating.
It’s hard to imagine a young 22 year old single woman picking up, leaving her entire family, packing things into one suitcase (including her wedding dress) and moving across what must have felt like the end of the world. All alone. She was married by proxy before she left Italy.
From Halifax she took a train to Coleman, Alberta where she was married to Pietro Rizzo on February 12, 1952. Pietro worked in the mines along with his brothers who had all immigrated
after the Second World War, sponsored by their uncle who immigrated to
Canada in the late 1890’s. Peter, as he was commonly known went to work, my mother tended to the home. This is where she learned from neighbours and family to cook, bake
bread, grow vegetables, learn English and start a new life. She embraced her new country and became a true north Canadian for 70 years and a lifelong Leaf fan. She gave birth to her first born, Maria in !954. She told stories for years how she wanted a boy -not a girl. Ahead of her time, she knew that in the 50’s, women would have to work much harder than men.
Domenica hated Coleman, and schemed a plan to leave as soon as possible and settle into a bigger city. She got her wish in 1956, arriving in Toronto with only a crib and one suitcase in tow. They rented apartments on Major and Robert Street and Pietro landed a job with CN. She did not want to rent but instead wanted to be a homeowner. Unfortunately, there were no savings after, rent, food and bills were paid. Fortunately, Domenica had a keen business sense. She asked several single men (paesani) to give her $200.00 each for the down payment on a house in return for room and board. With this money they we’re able to put a down payment on a house in 1957 they bought their first home at 52 Robert Street, an old three storey Victorian house and the family lived on the first and basement levels of the house.
In March of 1958, she gave birth to a son -Tino (Consolato). The paesani who lived in the house continued to pay rent in return for room and board for many years. As these single men who resided at 52 Robert Street began to marry and start families of their own the second
and third storeys on Robert Street were rented to families. Of note, the “tenants” inevitably became extended family and life long friends. The house on Robert Street would become home to many families across many generations. In this home, Domenica was the builder of family and community. The kitchen table was the centre of the home. Mimma was often behind a stove, serving an unbelievable large pot of home-made pasta and somehow smiling through it all. Dominica’s ability to make a little go a long way is marvelled by all who
knew her.
Domenica had a gift, as wife and mother of the 1950’s - she possessed the special talent of taking scarce resources and gracefully transforming those resources into a collective home. This building of community, for her family, is what Mimma thrived on. The Rizzo’s bought their second home on Laurelcrest Avenue in North York in 1967 where Mimma lived the rest of her life.
When her children finished elementary school she entered the work force and began her employment at Sears, sacrificing but balancing her work duties and family life responsibilities. On a side note her loyalty to her employer is unparalleled. To this day all appliances in the home were purchased at Sears-she got a discount after all. In 1970, Domenica secretly got her driver’s license and with that came self sufficiency and freedom. She treasured this independence. Domenica imparted her advice on everyone she met. One of her lifelong lessons was the need to work hard for everything because nothing in life comes easy. She was the boss. “Am I right? Or am I wrong?” Domenica and her husband Pietro worked tirelessly to provide as many opportunities for their children. Domenica was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She doted on her family and friends and was happiest when
she was surrounded by them.
Domenica was cherished and well-loved wherever she lived. A devoted and proud mother of two children, Tino and Maria and over the top grandmother to Samantha. She would never boast (if they were within earshot) about her children but her granddaughter-that was another story.
When Domenica’d husbsnd died (Samantha was seven years old) she would have been married almost 40 years. Samantha gave her the reason to wake up every day. She loved nothing more than being a nonna to Samantha.
Thousands of meatballs were devoured at her kitchen table. Indeed, her meatballs were legendary. She would bring them along when she dropped Samantha to schools, doctors offices, banks and any where she happened to visit. Her extended family of relations and friends included people from every walk of life. Many were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Mimma. Her spirit is carried on by those that were fortunate enough to
know her.
In life, Domenica loved and served, and in death she accepted what she could not have and was grateful for what she did have. Her heart was always there even when words were absent. She was a beautiful woman that made this world a better place.
Domenica was predeceased by her husband of almost forty years, Pietro. She is survived by her children, and granddaughter. She was loved and cherished by many people including : her husband Pietro; her son (Tino), his wife Lucy; daughter Maria, son in law Sam and
her beloved granddaughter Samantha; her God children, nieces and nephews in Italy, New York and Toronto and everyone she chose as family and friends along the way.
Please raise a glass in memory of Domenica Rizzo - mamma, nonna, Zia, mother in law, sister in law, friend and neighbour. Take a moment to remember the many ways she improved our lives.
Following interment there will be a celebration in her honour at 113 Laurelcrest Avenue. As always her doors are always open.
Domenica, the young woman of post-Second World War Italy entered Canada through Halifax at Pier 21 in 1952 in the dead of winter.
The story of this tough, strong woman, a fantastic cook who devoted her life to her family and loved to play cards, slot machines and cheer on the Toronto Maple Leafs deserves celebrating.
It’s hard to imagine a young 22 year old single woman picking up, leaving her entire family, packing things into one suitcase (including her wedding dress) and moving across what must have felt like the end of the world. All alone. She was married by proxy before she left Italy.
From Halifax she took a train to Coleman, Alberta where she was married to Pietro Rizzo on February 12, 1952. Pietro worked in the mines along with his brothers who had all immigrated
after the Second World War, sponsored by their uncle who immigrated to
Canada in the late 1890’s. Peter, as he was commonly known went to work, my mother tended to the home. This is where she learned from neighbours and family to cook, bake
bread, grow vegetables, learn English and start a new life. She embraced her new country and became a true north Canadian for 70 years and a lifelong Leaf fan. She gave birth to her first born, Maria in !954. She told stories for years how she wanted a boy -not a girl. Ahead of her time, she knew that in the 50’s, women would have to work much harder than men.
Domenica hated Coleman, and schemed a plan to leave as soon as possible and settle into a bigger city. She got her wish in 1956, arriving in Toronto with only a crib and one suitcase in tow. They rented apartments on Major and Robert Street and Pietro landed a job with CN. She did not want to rent but instead wanted to be a homeowner. Unfortunately, there were no savings after, rent, food and bills were paid. Fortunately, Domenica had a keen business sense. She asked several single men (paesani) to give her $200.00 each for the down payment on a house in return for room and board. With this money they we’re able to put a down payment on a house in 1957 they bought their first home at 52 Robert Street, an old three storey Victorian house and the family lived on the first and basement levels of the house.
In March of 1958, she gave birth to a son -Tino (Consolato). The paesani who lived in the house continued to pay rent in return for room and board for many years. As these single men who resided at 52 Robert Street began to marry and start families of their own the second
and third storeys on Robert Street were rented to families. Of note, the “tenants” inevitably became extended family and life long friends. The house on Robert Street would become home to many families across many generations. In this home, Domenica was the builder of family and community. The kitchen table was the centre of the home. Mimma was often behind a stove, serving an unbelievable large pot of home-made pasta and somehow smiling through it all. Dominica’s ability to make a little go a long way is marvelled by all who
knew her.
Domenica had a gift, as wife and mother of the 1950’s - she possessed the special talent of taking scarce resources and gracefully transforming those resources into a collective home. This building of community, for her family, is what Mimma thrived on. The Rizzo’s bought their second home on Laurelcrest Avenue in North York in 1967 where Mimma lived the rest of her life.
When her children finished elementary school she entered the work force and began her employment at Sears, sacrificing but balancing her work duties and family life responsibilities. On a side note her loyalty to her employer is unparalleled. To this day all appliances in the home were purchased at Sears-she got a discount after all. In 1970, Domenica secretly got her driver’s license and with that came self sufficiency and freedom. She treasured this independence. Domenica imparted her advice on everyone she met. One of her lifelong lessons was the need to work hard for everything because nothing in life comes easy. She was the boss. “Am I right? Or am I wrong?” Domenica and her husband Pietro worked tirelessly to provide as many opportunities for their children. Domenica was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She doted on her family and friends and was happiest when
she was surrounded by them.
Domenica was cherished and well-loved wherever she lived. A devoted and proud mother of two children, Tino and Maria and over the top grandmother to Samantha. She would never boast (if they were within earshot) about her children but her granddaughter-that was another story.
When Domenica’d husbsnd died (Samantha was seven years old) she would have been married almost 40 years. Samantha gave her the reason to wake up every day. She loved nothing more than being a nonna to Samantha.
Thousands of meatballs were devoured at her kitchen table. Indeed, her meatballs were legendary. She would bring them along when she dropped Samantha to schools, doctors offices, banks and any where she happened to visit. Her extended family of relations and friends included people from every walk of life. Many were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Mimma. Her spirit is carried on by those that were fortunate enough to
know her.
In life, Domenica loved and served, and in death she accepted what she could not have and was grateful for what she did have. Her heart was always there even when words were absent. She was a beautiful woman that made this world a better place.
Domenica was predeceased by her husband of almost forty years, Pietro. She is survived by her children, and granddaughter. She was loved and cherished by many people including : her husband Pietro; her son (Tino), his wife Lucy; daughter Maria, son in law Sam and
her beloved granddaughter Samantha; her God children, nieces and nephews in Italy, New York and Toronto and everyone she chose as family and friends along the way.
Please raise a glass in memory of Domenica Rizzo - mamma, nonna, Zia, mother in law, sister in law, friend and neighbour. Take a moment to remember the many ways she improved our lives.
Following interment there will be a celebration in her honour at 113 Laurelcrest Avenue. As always her doors are always open.