Maria Caterina Massara

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Maria Caterina (Lazzaro) Massara



1923

Mom was born in a small town in Calabria Italy, called Vallelonga. She did very little travelling outside this little town, until she immigrated to Toronto Canada. Even, when she moved here there were very few times that she had occasion to go on a trip or an outing far from home. She was a real homebody!



She often would tell us stories about how they had very little money (when they came to Canada) and would talk about how they would hold up the dinner table with the support of their knees, while eating dinner. She was very close to her sister-in-law Maria Rosa (who was married to her husband’s brother (Frank).

The two of them came over from Italy together and shared living accommodations

with the in-laws until they could branch out independently. Although, at the time the living arrangments were the foundation of her life here in Canada, where she captured and held onto many, many memories. It was through these experiences that she shared with her extended new family, that she came to understand how to adjust the focus on her life. These experiences were often very challenging for her.



Her parents were grocery merchants in the town and ran a small grocery store. They looked out for the welfare of many of the town’s inhabitants and were a very kind, gentle and understanding stock who helped many people survive during the second world war. Her family was held in high regard in the little town and she too was deeply loved and cherished by her parents.



1951

Mom met and married her husband Vince, in Vallelonga and immigrated to Canada in 1951. Her husband was the love of her life and she stood by him through thick and thin.



1952-1973

She never worked when she came to Canada…..which frustrated her at times….. our dad preferred that she stay at home and mind her only daughter ( Bruna), who for 21 years was an only child until miraculously, a second son was born known as Michael. Bruna and Doug drove her to the hospital when she went into labour with Mike and we were both with her, at the end of her life, when she died.



1994-2021

Michael was her strong stay after Dad died and he lived with her and supported her until he met and married Anna. She was simply delighted that Michael had met and

started his own family with someone as caring as Anna ( her daughter-in-law)



She was, very bright, fiercy independent, provacative in thought , strong minded, genuinely kind hearted, and a terrific cook who could whip a meal in a matter of minutes for 10 people.



Her grandchildren were the highlights of her life, always asking about them and wanting to know if they were OK. She missed her grandson –Chris, a lot

and was always very worried about him. She derived immense pleasure being in the company of her two granddaughters, Sabrina and Laura (would love recounting stories about them) …..but the spotlight was on the “new baby”---- her great grand child…. Camille. She was so happy to learn that Vanessa had given birth to such a dynamic young baby!



Any family gathering at a restaurant was so very exciting for her. She loved eating new and different things but, very much missed not being able to share in the few gatherings, family had had, since COVID.



While in the longterm care facility she caught a mild case of COVID but recovered well. The isolation and the fact that only Bruna could visit her once a week, made it difficult for her both emotionally and mentally. The psychological barriers and restrictions, caused from COVID, did not help her age well. She could not understand fully, why everyone was locked inside their rooms and why family could not visit. She so longed to hear her phone ring, hoping that someone from her extended family would call her to say hello.



Her thoughtfulness towards others was not fully appreciated, at times. She would generously gift many of her relatives without ever asking for anything in return.

Her selfless devotion, and good-natured personality was often misunderstood.



Her brother Domenic, was sponsored to come to Canada and lived with her until such time that he returned back to Italy. Several years after he left to return to Italy, his family made a decision to return with him and accompanied him back to Canada, where they continued to live with us, until they could afford to relocate on their own. She was so very deeply saddened when she learned her brother had died, during COVID and no one could attend his funeral. Right up until she went to the hospital (this past November) she would often talk to all the nursing staff and doctors about how much she missed him. Her sister-in-law Victoria is still alive today, but they have not been able to communicate with one another for many years due to Victoria’s deteriorating health problems.



OUR- Mom was the rock and foundation of our family, often overlooked and not always fully appreciated…. I think at times we took it for granted just how influential and dedicated she was to all of us. Her love and guiding light will cast a strong path for all of us to cherish and be guided by. She was a very bright light, far brighter than any of us wanted to admit.



Her loving devotion to GOD and her deep religious beliefs helped get her through good times and bad……… She will never be forgotten and forever missed!