Rose Guzzo

Rose Guzzo was born Rosetta Benincasa in the small charming hilltop town of Malito, in the province of Cosenza, Italy on October 28, 1942. At the age of 11, Rose came to Canada with her parents (Antonio and Teresa Benincasa) and her brother (Michele Benincasa), and settled in Toronto. She was introduced to her would-be husband Pasquale Guzzo, who was still in Italy completing his military service, and they wrote to each other via airmail over a two year period (all of the letters she kept in a box in her bedroom to this day). They were wed in Toronto in 1964, and had their first son Eugenio in 1971, followed by their second son Marco in 1980.

During her life Rose worked as a hairdresser in her teenage years, but found her true calling as a nursing assistant at The Hospital for Sick Children; a lifetime of caring and giving of herself to others began there. She often told stories of the babies she wrapped prior to them receiving a medical procedure, and how she would provide them comfort and try to ease their pain.

Caregiver
Throughout her life, Rose cared for the less fortunate and sick.
When her uncle suffered a series of strokes, she spent countless days helping her aunt caring for him. She sacrificed a lot of her time to make sure that his last months were spent at home, around the people that loved him, with dignity.
Shortly after her uncle's passing, her husband was diagnosed with a terminal illness that would see her care for him for several years. In the final months, she often was unable to sleep or do for herself in order to tend to his needs. She stayed by his side, at home, until his final hours.
With little rest after her husband's passing, she began spending half of each week at her parents' home to take care of her mother that had developed Alzheimer's, eventually moving in due to the severity of her mother's illness.

Fighter
All of the sacrifices, all of her strength, all of her soul, was given to others; her body finally started to give way.
When Rose was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2002, and breast cancer in 2015, she faced them both with the courage and strength of a champion. Her positive attitude and disposition allowed her to survive many things that would have brought down many others. Though small in stature, Rose was a giant in spirit and will power.

Mother
Rose was the most loving and amazing mother. Gentle in her approach, her children seldom recall their mother raising her voice or being otherwise scolding. She was a true angel, loved by all, and gave inspiration to the closest around her and to those that she touched even if only for a day.
She is survived by her sons Eugene (Gene) Guzzo and Marco Guzzo.