Elviera (Vera) Benedetti

Our dear Mum passed away peacefully at Aberdeen Seniors’ Home in Victoria, BC, on January 2, 2014 after a rapid decline in health from a serious fall. She was born Elviera Franchitti in Motherwell, Scotland on April 24, 1920 to Italian immigrants, Gelsomino and Mariella Franchitti. She was one of seven surviving children (of thirteen) and grew up working in the family’s three businesses of which the most prominent one was, Franchitti and Sons, import/export store. During WW II, she met her future husband, Guerino (Reno) Benedetti, while he was stationed in Scotland with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals in preparation for D-Day. Reno returned to Scotland after the war, married Vera in 1948 and she came to Canada as a war bride in 1949. They settled in Reno’s home town in northern Ontario, Kapuskasing and raised a family. She was a colourful resident of the small French Canadian town and was well known for being outgoing, social and always welcoming to her neighbours with a cup a coffee and delicious home made goodies. She had a good sense of humour highlighted by a definite mischievous streak. Most will remember her as the little Italian lady with the Scottish accent. Although crippled by polio as a child, she was a hard worker, rarely complained about her health and rarely asked for help. She worked as a cook at the Kapuskasing Civic Centre snack bar and also at the Community Dairy Bar diner.

After retirement,Reno and Vera followed their three children to Victoria, BC in the late 70’s and again she quickly made many life-long friends. She was always fiercely independent and lived on her own until shortly before her death. She was a frequent bus rider and knew all the drivers’ names often giving them candy and keeping them updated on the deals at WalMart. Early on she earned the title of ‘Queen of WalMart’ and spent many happy hours with her other family at McDonald’s.

Mum was predeceased by her husband, Reno in 1997 and her beloved grandson, Michael in 2008. She leaves behind her three children; Irene (Russ) Godfrey, Stella (Gary) Gurr , Johanna Benedetti and three grandsons, Nicholas, David and Benjamin, whom she loved dearly. She also leaves to mourn her passing, her only remaining sibling, Mariella Findlay, in Wales and many nieces and nephews.

Our family would like to thank the staff in the Lansdowne Unit of Aberdeen Hospital for their compassionate care, Mum’s many friends who continued to visit her while she was ill  and the heartfelt support of our family in Great Britain.

There will be no service and flowers are declined. A private family gathering will be held in the spring. In memory of Mum, please remember to smile and be good to yourself and others.

“LA FAMIGLIA PER SEMPRE”

McCall Bros. Funeral Home

www.mccallbros.com