ANNA MARDERO (COPETTI)

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ANNA MARDERO
(nee COPETTI)
1931 - 2023

With great sadness, the family of Anna Giuseppina Mardero, announce her peaceful passing on January 8 in Winnipeg, MB at the age of 91.
Anna, beloved mother and nonna, will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by her children, Moira, Claudia, Steve (Kim); grandchildren, Mitchell (Nicole), Gregory (Sydney), Adrianna (Chris), Nicholas and Caiden; extended family in both France and Italy, including her brother Velio (Norma) Copetti and sister-in-law Pierina Stroili.
She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Tarcisio Mardero, her parents, Maria and Giovanni Copetti; brothers, Arigo and Sergio (Regina) Copetti; sister-in-law Giuditta (Ennio) Rizzi; brother-in-law Fabio (Almarosa) Mardero and Armando Stroili.
Anna was born on July 28, 1931 in Gemona del Friuli, Italy to a hard-working farming family. She was a bright and eager student with a thirst for knowledge, but as the eldest child, Anna was expected to help support the family. At the age of 17, Anna set off to work as a nanny, housekeeper and cook for families in France, Germany and Switzerland, learning the languages along the way, while sending most of her earnings home to her family.
Anna was a fiercely independent trailblazer, determined to see more of the world. She hitch-hiked through Europe with two friends in the mid 1950s, was one of the first women in her home town to earn a driver's license, and owned her own car.
While at her cousin's wedding in Gemona in 1961, she met Tarcisio and within six months she found herself on a new adventure in Canada as a married woman. Not long after, she became a mother and embraced the role with gusto. She loved cooking and hosting large gatherings with friends showcasing her delicious northern Italian cuisine. She was a voracious reader, loved operas and musicals, had many hobbies including sewing, knitting and shopping for a good deal. She was an active volunteer and head cook with the Fogolar Association.
Anna loved the finer things in life including good food, decadent chocolate and fine cognac, but nothing was more important to her than her family. She lovingly encouraged her children and grandchildren to expand their horizons with higher education, travel, and adventure while standing up for their beliefs and rights. Her wit, wisdom and lively sense of humour will be dearly missed.
A celebration of Anna's life will be held on Friday, January 20 at 1:30 p.m. at the Centro Caboto. Friends and family who knew and loved Anna are invited to attend.
Anna's family would like to thank the caring staff at Riverview Health Centre's Palliative Care Unit where she spent her final days. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Riverview Health Centre or a charity of one's choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 14, 2023