January 28, 2024, at 22:32 pm, heaven gained a beautiful new angel. Paolina Carmela Di Bauda lived her life full, surrounded by her 5 children/spouses Antonio (Elena), Faustino, Pina (Todd), Luciano, and Antonietta and 5 grandchildren Kayla (Joseph), Jessica, Alessia, Mark, and Cody and many others that called her Ma, Mama or Nonna. She is predeceased by her husband Antonino Di Bauda.
April 1967 our parents packed up their two toddler sons and everything they owned. They left Torino to immigrate to Canada. Ten days after they arrived in Vancouver, she gave birth to their oldest daughter. This is a testament to how strong and determined she was. She worked hard her whole life. Being a mom to 5 kids and not really knowing the language was incredibly difficult.
Prayer was a cornerstone in her life. Mom always took her gift of intercession seriously and devoted much time to pray for those she loved, who asked for her prayers and whose needs reached the ear of her heart. Those who found themselves on her prayer list were sheltered well in her heart. In the last few years, she began to take up the practice of Blessing…to bless every person she encountered. This refrain echoed throughout the day, “Bless, bless you and everything you need. You and the whole family” along with expressions of gratitude. In her younger years she also extended the gift of radical hospitality to so many and many who gather at the funeral can testify to being the recipient of being fed by Mamma and hearing the words, “Mangia, mangia” (Eat, eat!). We are most grateful for Mom’s encouragement and example to pray with confidence, to trust, to have courage and to be kind.
She survived and recovered from a broken hip during Covid. Her smile and laughter was infectious. She lived in her home with all her faculties and walked an hour daily.
Paolina passed away on the anniversary of her mother's passing 36 years ago. It's been 30 long years away from our dad. It was time for her to go home. She will be deeply missed by so many.
Paolina's family would like to thank all the Care Aids from Fraser Health, for all the care they gave their mother in the past 3 years, allowing her to live her life independently in her home.
A viewing will be held from 6:00 – 7:30 pm on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at Kearney Burnaby Chapel 4715 Hastings Street, Burnaby.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Mariano on Wednesday, February 7th, 2024, at 10:30 am at St. Joseph's Parish in Port Moody. Entombment to follow at Ocean View Burial Park-Abbey Mausoleum, Burnaby.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BC Lung Association or the BC Diabetes Association.