Parcourez la nécrologie de Teresa Giancola October 13 1944
February 24 2025 résidant dans la province Ontario pour le détail des funérailles

In Celebration of
Teresa Giancola
October 13, 1944 –
February 24, 2025
Teresa Elizabeth Giancola (DeMestrio) passed away peacefully with her daughters by her side at Milton District Hospital on February 24, 2025 at the age of 80 after a long and painful battle with breast cancer.
Teresa was born in Palazzo San Gervasio, Italy, on October 13, 1944, one of six children born to Michele and Elvira DeMestrio. Teresa immigrated to Canada with her Mother, Brother Nick and Sister Isabella in 1953 when she was nine years old, joining her Father and other siblings already here. The family settled in Toronto, Ontario. Although she spent most of her life in Canada, she retained a deep love of her homeland and the small town where she was born, often regaling family members with entertaining stories of life “back home.”
Teresa loved to dance, had eclectic musical tastes and was an avid reader. She was a history buff with a passionate interest in politics. She loved to engage in fiery debates about current events with family and friends. Teresa was also an enthusiastic gardener, and neighbours often complimented her on her beautiful roses and flower gardens.
She was also a very hard worker with a strong work ethic. Her first job as a young girl was at Woolworth’s department store in Toronto, Ontario, in the candy department. She often joked she didn’t know how to weigh candy properly, so she would just guess how much candy was in a pound. Her Manager was always perplexed why the candy department suddenly became so popular and busy after she was hired.
Teresa then moved on to Massey Ferguson Canada, where she was hired as a Secretary, and where she met her life long friends, Lucy Mercer and Assunta Gill.
Her most memorable job was for Air Canada. She loved to travel and she was promoted quickly to various positions due to her hard work and dedication. During her time at Air Canada, Teresa was introduced to Peter Silverman, as her colleague was dating his best friend. Their daughter, Vanessa Regina Silverman, was born on May 30, 1970.
Teresa’s second daughter, Elizabeth Ann Giancola, was born on April 30, 1976, from the marital union between Teresa and Frank Giancola. Vanessa was none to pleased at the time to have a sibling and when she was introduced to Elizabeth during a hospital visit, asked if she was born “with all that dirt on her mouth” (Elizabeth had just been fed).
Although Teresa’s marriage dissolved, and despite the difficult circumstances of her divorce, she continued to be a committed and devoted Mother and later in life, Grandmother. She loved spending time with her Grandson, Robert Fraser Haynes (Robbie), and enjoyed nothing more than to spoil him with her wonderful Italian cooking when he visited. Robbie knew a visit at Grandma’s house always included a pot filled with meatballs in tomato sauce and a big plate of pasta.
In 1983 she obtained a job as a Secretary at the Mississauga Probation and Parole Office, where she remained for 22 years until her well deserved retirement in 2005. Up until her death, she shared memories and stories of the years she worked in Community Corrections. Perhaps because of this, both Vanessa and Elizabeth also obtained employment in Corrections as a Probation and Parole Officer and Correctional Officer respectively.
In 2011, Teresa was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Although her prognosis was not optimistic, through sheer will and determination, and her faith, she beat the odds. On the 10 year anniversary of her diagnosis her oncologist called her his “10 year miracle.” Unfortunately these past few years tested Teresa’s endurance as her cancer continued to advance and more recently she suffered a fall at home that contributed to her health issues and ultimately took her life.
Teresa is survived by her children, Vanessa Regina Silverman and Elizabeth Ann Giancola; Grandson, Robert Fraser Haynes; and siblings Lina LaCivita and Nick DeMestrio. She will be welcomed into the loving embrace of those who have preceded her in death including her parents Michele and Elvira DeMestrio; her siblings Erma LaCivita, Gina Chisena, and Isabella Lusito; and her Grandson Hunter Douglas Haynes.
Vanessa and Elizabeth would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the exceptional care provided to their mother by Dr. Brian Higgins, her Oncologist at Credit Valley Hospital Carlo Fidani Cancer Center. His expertise and kindness made a great difference. Thank you so very much.
Thank you also to Reverend Roshni Jayawardena, for the compassion and support you provided to our Mother during her final days. Your presence gave her immeasurable comfort.
Finally, a heartfelt thanks for the emails, texts, telephone calls and visits from family and friends. Your kind messages help to ease the pain of our mother’s passing, and made our Mother’s last few days a little less painful, by bringing a smile to her face and often a chuckle.
A Celebration of Life to honour our Mother’s memory will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025. The service will begin promptly at 3:00 PM with a reception to follow.
Flowers are welcome or for those who wish to do so, memorial charitable donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
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October 13 1944
February 24 2025

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Décès pour la Ville:Mississauga, Province: Ontario

avis deces Teresa Giancola October 13 1944
February 24 2025

nécrologie Teresa Giancola October 13 1944
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Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Teresa Giancola October 13 1944
February 24 2025 et espérons que leur mémoire pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.