Teresa (Loria) Schipani

July 27, 2017 will be a day forever in our hearts as the day mom regained her freedom. From a very young age, mom enjoyed spending time with family and friends; whether it was going for walks, at friends’ houses to bake her infamous cookies, going to Tim’s for a coffee, or attending church. It wasn’t unusual to call home and have dad answer and respond, “I don’t know” when we’d ask, “where’s mom". Mom’s illness tethered her and her world shrank, but now it’s expanded to something we cannot comprehend; freedom at last.

Mom was born to her parents Antonio and Luigina Loria; the first of five siblings who spent their years in the small town of San Giovanni in Fiore, or at the nearby family farm. She was 23 when her future husband Paolo asked her via letter if she’d leave Italy for a life in Canada. She readily agreed, and after a year of letters, she began her journey to Canada in August of 1965, settling in the Crowsnest Pass. Within a year their family expanded, and eventually became a family of five with Isabell (Dave), Gina and Giovanna. The years that followed gave her two grandchildren, Madison and Jonah, who she adored beyond words.

Mom leaves behind her family including sisters Serafina (Battista) Barberio and Caterina Guglielmelli, brothers Pasquale (Tommasina) Loria and Domenico (Lucia) Loria, and many nieces and nephews all of whom she adored. Mom will now rejoin Paolo and her father Antonio, to a place we cannot yet follow.

In lieu of flowers, it is our wish that donations be made to the Holy Trinity Catholic Church Building Fund (Box 1410, Blairmore, AB T0K 0E0). The church was where mom found her true community, and the flood of condolences and offers to help her transition into this next phase of life has been overwhelming.

Although the void that her passing has created is vast, her kindness and gentleness remain in everything we all do going forward, until we can be reunited once again. We will do our best to honor her; to be fair, accepting, patient and most of all, forgiving. And finally, we ask that we all live up to mom’s wish and a phrase we heard our entire lives: “Mantenere la tua forza”.

The Prayer Service will be held at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church (13126, 21 Ave., Blairmore, AB) with Father Ben Marino and Deacon Renso Castellarin officiating. The Funeral Mass will be held at the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. with Father Ben Marino, Father Thomas Vadassery as Celebrants, assisted by Deacon Renso Castellarin. Interment followed in the Blairmore Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Antonio Loria, Pat Loria, David Loria, Tony Loria, Gene Loria, Lui Pisano, Dave Nelson (honorary), Jonah Nelson (honorary) and Sonny Loria (honorary). Condolences may be registered at www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca.

Fantin’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with the arrangements. (403) 562-8555

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