SALUTE E VIVA; Cheers!
Passed away peacefully on December 31st, 2020 at Windsor Regional Hospital, due to complications of Covid-related pneumonia.
Dear wife and best friend of Mike, for 61+ years. Cherished mother to Michael (Irene), Peter, and Jessica Reimers (Fred). Beloved Nonna to Drew and Aline Saffran and to Pedro, her grand dog.
Predeceased by her parents, Sebastiano Dario (1980) and Maria (1978) and by in-laws, Michal Saffran (1999) and Anna (1993). Loving “little” sister to Nello Dario (2017) and Martha (2004). Sister-in-law to Nick Saffran (2018) and Mary (2009), Peter Safran (Florida, 2013), and Anne Heath (Windsor).
She was the treasured aunt of Debbie (Wayne) McGill & family (GTA), Dan Heath (2020), Mia Dario (Toronto), Bob Dario (Andrea) of Windsor, Doug Saffran (Lianna) of Boston, and John Saffran (Cathy) of Windsor. She was also the adoring great aunt of Sam Rivers, Gabriel Dario, Alex and Alannah Saffran. Elena was a special friend to Elsie and Tony Cusinato spanning her lifetime. She is also godmother to Marilyn (Gatti) Stawecki (London) and Cynthia Cusinato-Jammes (Ottawa).
Elena was a close cousin to Egidio and Bruna Dario (Windsor) and many cousins in the Veneto Region of Italy, as well as childhood friends, Patsy Chanko and Nellie Schincariol.
Always proud of her Italian roots, Elena was a long-time member of the Trevisani nel Mondo Society of Windsor. Her father was one of the founding members of the Giovanni Caboto Club. Like her mother, she inherited amazing cooking skills and was one of the best cooks on the planet! She was also a 1st prize ribbon winner for her famous pies, especially pecan and blueberry, at the Harrow Fair. She was also amazing with a crochet hook. Her blankets adorn many a house around Canada and the States!
Elena was very proud of her domestic achievements, but make no mistake, she was also a “mover and shaker” for women, as she was one of only two women, who graduated with a business degree from Wayne State University in 1961. She started her career as an executive secretary at Hiram Walker before starting her family. After her children started to grow up, she went back to school and got her education degree, becoming a teacher at both St. Clair College and the former Windsor Board of Education. She finally ended her working career as a court reporter for the Supreme Court of Ontario. Rumour has it, she could type 120 wpm and was a whiz at taking notes in shorthand. It is sad that Parkinson’s Disease robbed her of her manual dexterity, but she was a warrior right up to the end.
Elena’s loves were many and great. She cherished time with family, tending to her mother’s roses, spending time with her girlfriends, cooking, reading a good book, travelling the world, and sipping on a good, dry martini. She will be missed, but oh, she lived a great life!
A huge “thank you” goes out to the medical staff on the 5th floor at Windsor Regional Hospital, as well as Schlegel Village at St. Clair, for heroes truly do work there. Also, a heartfelt thank you to her longtime neurologist Dr. Jenkins (London) and Dr. Dobosz (Windsor).
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Parkinson’s Society of Southwestern Ontario or the Cancer Centre at Windsor Regional Hospital.
On Monday, January 4th, 2021, a private family ceremony will be held at Families First Funeral Home, South Windsor, with cremation to follow. On Monday at 11 am, a livestream link will be available on Elena’s online profile to view the funeral service. Once the world returns to normal, we will celebrate Elena’s best life at a big party, hopefully next summer.
Click here to view the service for Elena Saffran live from home.
If the link does not work on your system, please copy and paste the following address in your web browser: youtu.be/AUE7FdpQe5w
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2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Elena Regina Saffran nee Dario 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Windsor, Province: Ontario