Obituary for Gina Ascenzi
Gina Ascenzi age 78 , passed away February 3rd following 7 long fought years battling Ovarian Cancer. She was born November 2, 1942 in Frosinone Veroli, the only child of Camilo & Gioconda Cestra. She married her friend and love Orlando Ascenzi in April of 1960 who preceded her in death in 2013.
Gina was strong not only in sheer strength of will and perseverance, but also in spirit and her faith in God. This social butterfly's love of travel with Orlando & later with friends took her to all corners of the earth where she revelled in the company, cultures and cuisines of those cities. These were her most cherished memories.
Gina will also be remembered for expressing her love through food and preparing meals for those she loved. It wasn't just a pizza, it was a her expression of love & family.
Where there is food there is drink and with Gina there was no shortage of either. She was always the first to raise her glass in a toast, a cheer to someones good health or fortune. There was always a cause for celebration.
Memories of Orlando regularly yelling at the top his lungs could be heard over the music, CD blaring as she drove the Fiat will be forever instilled in our memories. As children, any references to the "sound of music" surely meant our home...
Gardening. Gina's love of her flowers & plants and the pain staking care in cultivation of flora & vegetables. Making sugo every late summer long weekend are lovely memories we will always treasure.
Her lifelong selflessness, helping feed & care for helpless animals & helping those less fortunate both near and far through meals, sponsoring children through the parish and pilgrimages were always an example to her children of the importance of humility and kindness, "But for the grace of God go I" ...
It is an impossible task to try to eulogize Gina's life in a few short paragraphs, her vivaciousness and love of people, the joy she brought to so many lives and how much she has meant to those around her. The gaping hole in the hearts of her children, family and many many friends she leaves behind will forever remain.
Gina is survived by her four children Laura, Nadia, Diane & David, her son-in-law John & daughter-in-law Raya; her grandchildren Adam & his wife Laura, (Gina's great grandchild Noah who was with us for far too short a time), Tara & partner John, Jonathan, Nicholas, Jacob, Sofia & Nathaniel. Gina will also be missed by her many brother-in-laws & sister-in-laws, nephews and nieces, family and many friends. All of these whom she loved and touched deeply.
****Funeral Mass on Saturday, February 6th at 10:30AM on Zoom using username 871 0694 2461 and passcode 248227.
Guests may also watch the funeral mass on the St. Fidelis website through the following link:
https://stfidelis.ca/live-services-stream/
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ovarian Cancer Research, or please consider donating to Gina's favourite charity, your local food bank
www.foodbankscanada.ca
www.yrfn.ca
www.feedontario.ca
Gina was strong not only in sheer strength of will and perseverance, but also in spirit and her faith in God. This social butterfly's love of travel with Orlando & later with friends took her to all corners of the earth where she revelled in the company, cultures and cuisines of those cities. These were her most cherished memories.
Gina will also be remembered for expressing her love through food and preparing meals for those she loved. It wasn't just a pizza, it was a her expression of love & family.
Where there is food there is drink and with Gina there was no shortage of either. She was always the first to raise her glass in a toast, a cheer to someones good health or fortune. There was always a cause for celebration.
Memories of Orlando regularly yelling at the top his lungs could be heard over the music, CD blaring as she drove the Fiat will be forever instilled in our memories. As children, any references to the "sound of music" surely meant our home...
Gardening. Gina's love of her flowers & plants and the pain staking care in cultivation of flora & vegetables. Making sugo every late summer long weekend are lovely memories we will always treasure.
Her lifelong selflessness, helping feed & care for helpless animals & helping those less fortunate both near and far through meals, sponsoring children through the parish and pilgrimages were always an example to her children of the importance of humility and kindness, "But for the grace of God go I" ...
It is an impossible task to try to eulogize Gina's life in a few short paragraphs, her vivaciousness and love of people, the joy she brought to so many lives and how much she has meant to those around her. The gaping hole in the hearts of her children, family and many many friends she leaves behind will forever remain.
Gina is survived by her four children Laura, Nadia, Diane & David, her son-in-law John & daughter-in-law Raya; her grandchildren Adam & his wife Laura, (Gina's great grandchild Noah who was with us for far too short a time), Tara & partner John, Jonathan, Nicholas, Jacob, Sofia & Nathaniel. Gina will also be missed by her many brother-in-laws & sister-in-laws, nephews and nieces, family and many friends. All of these whom she loved and touched deeply.
****Funeral Mass on Saturday, February 6th at 10:30AM on Zoom using username 871 0694 2461 and passcode 248227.
Guests may also watch the funeral mass on the St. Fidelis website through the following link:
https://stfidelis.ca/live-services-stream/
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ovarian Cancer Research, or please consider donating to Gina's favourite charity, your local food bank
www.foodbankscanada.ca
www.yrfn.ca
www.feedontario.ca