Maria Giovanna Pace stood 4 foot 9 inches in heels, and she never wore heels.
Despite her diminutive stature, she towered over her family for many of her 92 plus years.
Such a large and constant presence she was at the family table. It is difficult to imagine how we will consume another meal, drink a glass of wine, let alone mark family celebrations or milestones without her.
Depending on your generation Maria was either Ma or Nonna or GrandMa to pretty much everyone. And loved by all.
One of five siblings born to Caterina and Giuseppe Cristiano, Ma started her life on August 9, 1929 in Castlegrande, a mountaintop village south of Naples in the province of Potenza, Italy. It was there she met the love of her life, Pasquale Pace – Pa – the man she would eventually cross the Atlantic with in search of a better life, first to Montreal and later in Red Lake raising six children. She then resided in Dundas for her last 10 years.
Ma is survived by three sisters all of Argentina, and her children Vito (Tracy) Pace, Peppi (Karen) Pace, Gerardo (Michelle) Pace and Claudia Pace, all of Red Lake and Vittoria Spinelli and Catherine (Dana) both of Dundas. Nonna will be missed by grandchildren Aaron, Dana Jr., Jacob, Jessica, Kyle, Nicola, Ryley and Taylor and great grandson Brandon.
A public visitation will be held on Monday, October 4th from 7-8 pm in the Red Lake Chapel.
A celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, October 5th at 1 pm at the Red Lake Cemetery.
Donations in her memory may be made to A Charity of Choice through the Red Lake Chapel Box 237, Red Lake, On P0V 2M0