Santina passed away peacefully on May 1, 2020 at Belvedere Care Centre in Coquitlam, at the age of 92. Santina was born on September 25th, 1927 in Sannicandro di Bari, Italy to Nicola and Maria Demarinis. She was the eldest of nine children. Santina was predeceased by husband Giuseppe in 2016, her parents, and her siblings Vincenzo, Domenica and Antoinetta. She will be missed and remembered by all her children whom she lived her life for: Vince (Meg), Nick (Linda), Jack (Julie), Mary, Tony (Robyn), and Patricia (Andre). She also leaves behind grandchildren Patrick, Matthew, Michelle, Michael, Danielle, Claire, Mark, Steven, Sarah, Rachel, Mikaela, Thomas, and Annika. Including great-grandchildren Gavin, Luca, Hawkins, Calvin, and Mateo. In addition, five siblings and numerous nieces and nephews in Italy and in the Lower Mainland. Santina joined her husband, Giuseppe, in Vancouver on June 1st, 1956. Not knowing a word of English, she managed to get herself and her two children by boat from Naples to New York. Eventually, arriving in Vancouver after five long days on a train. Santina was truly a force her whole life. With raising six active kids, working at Mount St. Joseph’s hospital, running York Market alongside her husband for 10 years, volunteering at St. Francis of Assisi and Notre Dame High School bingos for 20 years, working at St. Francis of Assisi Rectory doing housework and cooking for the Franciscan priests and brothers, making the move to Coquitlam after 30 years on Adanac St, to taking care of many of her grandkids. Through all this, she was a faithful, devout Catholic, sang in many church choirs, and loved to embroider, knit, and crochet. She was an excellent cook and made sure holidays were celebrated with her traditional recipes, including her famous focaccia and pizza. She was a force! Her kids will be forever grateful for the work, guidance, and discipline she gave us to provide a better life and opportunities for us. In 2015, Santina started to show signs of Alzheimers. We are all thankful that she is now in a better place that she can finally remember and be re-united with her husband, mom, and dad. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff and caregivers at Belvedere Care Centre in Coquitlam.
A private family funeral will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church at 9387 Holmes St, Burnaby, BC on May 8th. Due to the Covid-19 situation, a celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Society or your local food bank.