ELVIRA MARGUERITE MAGNIFICO (nee FARACO)

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ELVIRA MARGUERITE MAGNIFICO (nee FARACO) The woman who encouraged us to be strong and resourceful, who cared, listened and led by example, who prayed for us whatever the circumstance, who loved us unconditionally no matter what we said or did, who didn't have a selfish bone in her body and who understood the value of always saying thank you - is our mother, grandmother (Nonna), aunt and friend. Elvira was born on July 4, 1922 in Winnipeg and she bid farewell to us on October 9, 2014 in the same city she called home for 92 years. We marvelled at her grace, serenity and beauty as she left our world and was welcomed into Heaven. Elvira and extraordinary went hand in hand. Elvira was the youngest child of beloved parents Thomas Faraco and Josephine Mantello, who immigrated to Canada from Italy. She attended St. Ignatius School and St. Mary's Academy, where she met students and nuns, several of whom became long time friends and mentors. Her connection to St. Ignatius included the Church and it continues to be the family parish close to one hundred years later. Elvira's mother died in 1946, however she occupied a huge place in Elvira's heart, especially as she got older. Not even vascular dementia could erase memories of her parents. Elvira worked as a record librarian at Misericordia Hospital and treasured the letter of commendation from a wonderful doctor...she also worked as a comptometer at Eaton's for a short time. All along, she saw herself as getting married, having children and eventually traveling to Italy. She achieved all three starting in 1948, when Elvira met Luigi Magnifico at Holy Rosary Church and instinctively knew he was "the one" - they were married the following year and subsequently had three daughters - Anna Maria, Liz and Jo. We lived at Mom's family home - 873 Scotland Avenue - where Elvira also took meticulous care of her father, who was partially blind. When Elvira's father passed away in 1967, she knew he was eternally grateful for her tremendous care. In 1978, the entire family delighted in the sights and sounds of Italy...we not only visited Luigi's hometown, we travelled to Elvira's parents' hometowns too. Although Elvira did not work outside the home after she married, she was involved in the community...she enjoyed being a loaned representative with the United Way and loved her role as a deputy returning officer for various elections at all levels of government. Her greatest joy and strength in the early years was being an outstanding homemaker, including getting us ready for school/greeting us on our return and organizing various activities - from birthday parties and oratorical contests, to tap dancing lessons for Anna Maria and Liz and piano lessons for Jo. One of her most impressive feats was typing hundreds of school and university essays on her Underwood machine, without complaining about our often sloppy writing...as she watched us grow and take different directions in our lives, Elvira was most proud of her daughters and our academic, career and personal achievements. Throughout the years Elvira shared the cooking with Luigi...her signature dish was scrumptious turkey dressing - and given the countless times we gathered at the house for special occasions, we savoured her special recipe (originating from her mother) many times over. We will always remember the other aromas from the kitchen when she baked shortbread, date-filled oatmeal cookies, spice muffins, cheesecake and lemon pie. Of course, baking took a backseat to spending time with her precious grandsons - how she revelled in their company - playing with them, reading to them, spoiling them, attending their baseball or hockey games, chatting with them and defending them - they could always depend on Nonna in their court! In her spare time, Elvira was an avid Toronto Blue Jays baseball fan, appreciated flowers in her home and garden, played the piano by ear and also played bingo and briscola (card game). Mom was predeceased by her cherished husband Luigi (whom she mentioned every day until her final hours), her brother Joe Faraco and sisters/brothers-in-law Mary Ketcheson (Fred), Kay Phillips (Tony) and Elizabeth Dougherty (Gerry), as well as her darling and unforgettable infant grandson, Thomas Sebastian, named after his great-grandfather. Clearly, living at 873 Scotland Avenue brought the most satisfaction to Elvira's and Luigi's home life, however she was content at Lindenwood Manor, Tuxedo Villa and the Simkin Centre. Our family extends a special "thank you" to all the caregivers that supported her over the last few years. Elvira will truly be missed every single day of our lives...we take some comfort in knowing that Elvira and Luigi will be together for their 65th wedding anniversary next month where they can dance to their favourite tune, Delilah. In addition to Anna Maria, Liz (Charly) and Jo, Elvira leaves behind her grandsons Alexander, Adam and Simon, as well as niece Joey (Rick) Van Camp, along with extended family. Elvira, Mom and Nonna, thank you for being our role model for life and for sharing your deep, abiding faith with us. Respecting Elvira's wishes, cremation has taken place. Please join us for Elvira's Mass of the Resurrection on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at St. Ignatius Church, 255 Stafford Street at 1:00 p.m., with a private interment to follow. If desired (and in lieu of flowers), please consider donations to one of Elvira's preferred charities: St. Mary's Academy Foundation, 550 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, R3M 0C1, United Way Winnipeg, 580 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 1C7, The Compassionate Friends of Winnipeg, Manitoba (an organization to support those who have lost a child), 685 William Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0Z2, The Winnipeg Foundation (specifically The Coffey Fund that supports early child development), 1 Lombard Place, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 0X5. THOMSON "IN THE PARK" 204-925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com
Publish Date: Oct 18, 2014

ELVIRA MARGUERITE MAGNIFICO (nee FARACO) Peacefully and with amazing grace, Elvira passed away at the Victoria General Hospital on Thursday, October 9, 2014. A tribute in her memory will follow. THOMSON "IN THE PARK" 925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com
Publish Date: Oct 11, 2014

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 18, 2014