NATALINA ZAPPIA

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NATALINA ZAPPIA

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved mother Natalina Zappia on December 14, 2025 at the age of 85 years old. She leaves to mourn her children, Domenico (Nicki), Frank (Jill), Mauro (Julie) and her grandchildren Stephanie (Drew), Jenna (Wyatt), Natalina, Rose and Mary. She is survived by her sisters Giuditta Corigliano in Italy, Rosa Alecci, Immacolata Barbaro from Winnipeg; her sisters in law Anna Romano from Winnipeg, Adele Romano from Italy. She was predeceased by her husband Bruno Zappia of 52 years; parents Domenico and Elisabetta Romano; brothers Dino Romano, Domenico Romano, sisters Maria Bevacqua, Concetta Nirta, brothers in law Carmelo Alecci, Domenico Bevacqua, Bruno Nirta, Domenico Corigliano and Giuseppe Barbaro. She also leaves to mourn her extended family in Canada and in Italy, all who were very special to her.
Mom was born in the Comune Di Portigliola, Provincia Di Reggio Calabria, Italy on June 1, 1940, she was the youngest of eight siblings. She immigrated to Canada in 1967 with husband Bruno and her 5 month old son Domenico. Mom worked hard her whole life in various night jobs at low paying sewing factories to make ends meet, but her most important work was raising her 3 boys and a household full of men.
Mom in many ways was ahead of her time. Full of charisma and charm, she had numerous friends with her infectious smile and demeanor. Clearly the head of the household, she led by example and instilled the values and compassion in her boys that she had for everyone she encountered. She fired on all cylinders. Keeping the house to her standard, keeping her family fed, making sure there was the no nonsense discipline instilled into her boys and worked nights to try to get us ahead. Mom’s passion was her garden where she loved to spend countless hours. She was proud of her vegetables but especially her tomatoes and always looked forward to making her tomato sauce with her family. Her biggest love of all was her five granddaughters and they were her whole world.
Though Mom had a life of much pain, in sickness both emotionally and physically, there was no greater fighter or hero for us to look up to. A bad blood transfusion during her last birth had lifelong consequences for her health and well-being. Countless times over the last 30 years, the Physicians said it may be her time and countless times she came back. We knew one day this would come but never without another fight.
We would like to thank the staff of 3rd floor and Emergency departments at the Grace Hospital, 4th floor at the Deer Lodge Centre and the home care team.
Condolences will be received at Holy Rosary Parish, 510 River Avenue, Winnipeg on Friday, December 19, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m., Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m., with a small reception in the church hall following Mass.

Pallbearers are Bruno Bevacqua, Tony Barbaro, Frank Barbaro, Deryk Coward, Drew Hill, and Wyatt Kemball.

Please use this link to livestream the Mass https://youtube.com/live/V3h1JCflb3U?feature=share

Livestreaming is also available on the church website.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Diabetes Canada or Holy Rosary Parish.

We will miss you greatly, your consoling words, your motherly love and your incredible example of resilience, passion and understanding you had for us and all those around you.

Reposa in Pace

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home
204-885-9715

Tribute Link: www.chapellawn.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 16, 2025