Obituary
Misale, Lillian “Lena” (nee Agostino)
It is with great sadness and broken hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Lillian, on November 29, 2022 at the General Hospital, at the age of 84 from a massive stroke. Lillian is now reunited with her loving husband Frank (on his birthday) and son Pasquale. Lillian will be missed by her daughter Cindy and son Angelo. Loving Nonna of Brandon, Stephen (Emily), Adam, Matthew and Michael. Dear sister and sister-in-law of the late Alfonso (Alf), the late Patricia, Tina “Maria” (the late Vince) Alessi and Rose (the late Joe) and the late Catherine, Vincenza (Vincenzio). Loved aunt of the Agostino clan: Angelo (Kim), Carl (Lynne), Michael (Barb), Lisa (Tom) Prince and the Misale clan: Pat (Louise), Domenica (Steven), Sara (Cam), Vince, Margaret (David) Cory and a great aunt to many. Cherished friend to Angelina Cotroneo. They shared coffee and deserts every day, twice a day. They would go for walks and Angelina even got mom to go out to the restaurant a few times. Truly her best friend.
Lena was born in San Giorgio, Reggio Calabria on June 9, 1938 and was the daughter of Angelo and Grace Agostino. She came to Canada on May 27, 1949 along with her brother Alfonso (Alf) and learned how to read, write and speak the English language. She was an amazing daughter, wife, sister, mother and nonna. She was a proud lady who did things her way. If she wasn’t in the kitchen cooking up her famous pasta dishes and chicken cutlets, she was walking downtown (3km each way) or going to Fortinos, Food Basics and Shopper Drug Mart. She spent numerous hours in her garden complaining that it was too big and that the animals were eating the good stuff. That was one of her favorite past time activities along with cleaning and laundry. Her time with Aunt Tina was priceless. They spoke twice a day by telephone and arranged to secretly meet up for shopping excursions. Just imagine seeing an 84 year old lady escorting a 93 year old lady on multiple buses from Burlington to Hamilton just to go to James Street North to buy some walnuts. They truly had a special bond.
Lena touched many lives in her time with us. She was an amazing independent lady and caregiver and always put others first. She continued to live alone after dad and Pasquale passed and never asked for help. Our family is stronger because of all the things she taught us. She was a feisty young lady as we would say and although she left us too soon her spirit will always be with us. In her own words she would say “Oh well, what are you going to do? Here today, gone tomorrow.”
A special thank you to all the doctors and nurses at the Hamilton General Hospital, from the ER room to the 7th floor Stroke unit, that cared for mom. You truly were caring and sympathetic to our family and kept mom comfortable in the 3 days she was there.
Visitation at FRISCOLANTI FUNERAL CHAPEL, 43 Barton St. E. (near James) on Friday from 2-9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be offered at Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 10:00 am. Entombment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate donations to Association for Community Living or Heart and Stroke Foundation.
As she would say “…and that’s it…..”
June 9 1938 November 29 2022
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Lillian Lena nee Agostino Misale June 9 1938 November 29 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Hamilton, Province: Ontario