Gilda Petrella (nee Mondazzi) April 17, 1929 - September 30, 2018
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our mother, Nonna and
Bisnonna Gilda who was celebrating her 90th year of life. Daughter of
Umberto and Concetta Mondazzi. She was a devoted wife to her late
husband Vittorio Petrella of 58 years, a dedicated mother to Anna (late
Frank) Cecchetto, Tony (Lori) Petrella, Elsa (Lou) Castellani, and an
adoring Nonna to her grandchildren Luigi (Sarah), Paul (Caitlin),
Vickie (Tony), Michael, Laura, and great grandchildren Olivia, Amara,
Max, Noah, Alana and Owen. She is survived by friends and family in
Italy, Brantford, Stoney Creek and Ohio. Gilda devoted her life and
love to her family. She took great joy in her ability to cook for her
family and our fondest memories include family gatherings centered
around her delicious meals that would keep the family together late into
Sunday evenings. Gilda often recounted stories of her family’s
“albergo” in Pratola Peligna, where she first won the heart of her loving
husband. In 1953, she set sail for Canada to meet Vittorio and begin
their life together. She enjoyed a long career as a seamstress and
supervisor at Penmans, and was a proud member of the Maria SS Della
Libera committee. Gilda left her job to care for her family, mastering
her famous “dunking cookies”, as well as her own special recipes for
pizelle, and apple pies. She is most admired for her selfless devotion to family, with whom she loved spending time and making lasting memories. She will be cherished in our hearts forever. Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Diabetes Canada would be appreciated. Family and friends will be received at the TOLL FUNERAL HOME 55 Charing Cross Street, on Wednesday October 3rd 2018 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m. For information regarding the Mass of Christian Burial please contact the funeral home at (519) 753-8655 or www.tollfh.ca