Ersilia Donato, 91, of Revelstoke, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at Mount Cartier Court on October 15, 2016. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Revelstoke on Saturday morning, October 22nd, 2016, at 11 am with Father Aaron de Dios celebrant. Interment will follow in the family plot of Mountain View Cemetery, Revelstoke. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Cartier Court Activity Fund, in memory of Ersilia.
Ersilia was born in Spezzano Piccolo, Italy, on December 20, 1924. She immigrated to Revelstoke in 1953. Without knowing a word of English, she made the two-week journey with her four-year-old daughter in tow, to join her husband.
Ersilia was a strong woman who worked tirelessly to care for her family. She was an avid gardener and loved being outdoors. She spent hours each day in her kitchen cooking and baking and truly was a wonderful cook. She loved being surrounded by family, food and laughter.
Ersilia was predeceased by her husband Ottavio and her infant son Celestino. The greatest joy in Ersilia’s life was her children. Every moment of her day centered around her family. She was a loving and proud mother to Rose (Bob) Robinson of Kamloops, Susan Oikle (Alan) of Salmon Arm, Frank (Betty) Donato of Revelstoke, Jo-Ann Norberg (Mark) of Revelstoke and John Donato of Revelstoke. Ersilia adored her grandchildren Karrie, Crystal, Tyler and Andrea and great grandchildren Devyn, Rylee, Wylden and Nula. She cherished their visits. She is also survived by her only sibling John Piluso, who always made time to visit his sister. Ersilia leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews in Canada, Italy and USA that she truly cared for.
With Ersilia’s passing, we mourn the loss of an amazing woman.
Messages of sympathy may be sent to Ersilia’s family by viewing her obituary at: www.brandonbowersfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Brandon Bowers Funeral Home, Revelstoke.