We are deeply saddened by the passing of Pasqualina (Lina) Caldarone.   Pasqualina, Mom, Nona, Zia, Comare, friend, gardener and chef extraordinaire, slipped away peacefully from this life on September 30, 2018 at the age of 94 with her family by her side; she is now in her kitchen in heaven cooking and baking up a storm.

Born Pasqualina Battista, in Civitanova del Sannio, Italy in 1924, she led a pastoral life as a young girl, a life that taught her the meaning of hard work and dedication to family. She lived through the years of WWII and then in 1949 she married Michele to whom she was married to for 66 years until his passing in 2015. Pasqualina immigrated to Canada, arriving in Halifax on September 30, 1953 and made her way to Boston Bar, BC where Michele was working for the CPR; they eventually moved to a new house in Vancouver in 1959 wherein she lived for 59 years until her passing.

Pasqualina led a full but busy life. She was a hard worker—nothing was too much for her. Life as an immigrant woman was not always easy, but she never complained. She raised two children, managed the household, gardened, sewed, canned and cooked for her family and anyone else that happened to be around; she was a mentor to many—enjoying a special relationship with the Lucarino and DiSalvo families.  She was the happiest when she had her family around her.  She loved to admire her tomatoes, her fig tree and to sit on her porch amidst her flowers.  She was an active member of the Civitanova del Sannio Club and of the Victoria Drive Community Hall—active meaning she was always involved in cooking or baking for the clubs.

Pasqualina is predeceased by her parents Carmina and Francesco, husband Michele, brothers Luigi and Francesco, sisters Ida and Maria, Charlie and Marsha (Wendy’s parents).  She is survived by her loving family, son Nick (Wendy) Caldarone, daughter Anna (Al) Helewka, her beloved grandson Sam; sister Adelina, her special adopted family David, Alison, Jordan and Adam Helewka, and by Mickey her dog.  Pasqualina is also survived by many nieces and nephews in Vancouver, Toronto and Italy as well as many friends, neighbours, paesanos and comparii all of whom she held dearly in her heart.

Special thanks to the all the staff of VGH ER and Unit 11A (ACE) especially Tatiana and the two KPU nursing students (Ashley and Rachel) who were with Pasqualina and her family in her final moments. Eternal gratitude to Dienne and Haley for their loving care for mom, making it possible for her to stay in her own home for the past two years. We would also like to thank Carmen Battista, Frank and Mary Battista, Kathy Liebelt for their support during some very difficult times these past few months.

Prayers will be held at 6:00 p.m. followed by visitation from 7:00 -8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at Kearney Burnaby Funeral Chapel 4715 Hastings Street, Burnaby B.C.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, October 5, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Parish 1612 East 18th Avenue, Vancouver B.C. Entombment to follow at the Abbey Mausoleum, Ocean View Burial Park, 4000 Imperial Street Burnaby B.C. Reception and celebration of Pasqualina’s life will be held following entombment at St. Joseph’s Parish hall (basement of the church). In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Red Cross.

Your family thanks you mom for all the support and love over the years---we will miss you.