RAFFAELA PONTELLINI
EULOGY
Written by Grace and Viance Dominelli (Sisters)
Read by Adriana Fernandes (Niece)

Joe, Fernando, Mario, Adriano, Angelo, Family and Friends
Today our hearts are filled with sadness as we pay our respects, say our good byes and send our prayers to our beloved Raffaela Pontellini.
Yet even in our grief, we are embraced by a deep and comforting serenity, and eternal gratefulness for the precious moments we shared with Raffaela. Her presence in our lives was a blessed gift that we will forever hold dear in our hearts.

There is a quote by an “unknown author” that says……
“Those who loved her, lost so much at her passing, yet gained so much from her living.”

Raffaela was an exceptional woman, daughter, wife, sister, aunt, family member and a dear friend.
But most of all she was an extraordinarily loving and devoted Mother and Grandmother.
Her sons and grandsons were her ultimate source of happiness and she was so proud of each and every one of them.
Now, I think it’s fair to say, that being a Mother of 3 boys and later a Nonna to 2 grandsons was definitely not a walk in the park! Yet, Raffaela was ready for any and all challenges her boys could dream up. . She was their guiding light, their pillar of strength, their comfort and joy, and their source of unconditional love.
As young boys she taught her sons about family values and morals, such as honesty, unselfishness, compassion and patience as well as good social manners and being respectful to all people.
She lived by these virtues herself every day of her life, which helped shape Joe, Fernando and Mario into the kind, gentle and loving sons they are today.

Raffaela Pontellini was born on July 28, 1934 in Serra San Bruno, Italy. She was the first born of 11 children to Marianna and Biagio Dominelli. From a young age, Raffaela’s sense of duty and purpose and her hard work ethic, made her an invaluable member of the family, both inside and outside the home. Brought up and rooted in traditional values and practices, Raffaela quickly learned the arts and skills that were expected of a young woman of her era,– Cooking, sewing, knitting and many other household chores. For those of you who knew her in Italy back in the day, you may have seen Raffaela washing the dirty laundry, but not at the local laundry mat using a washing machine, but beating the clothes on the rocks in the frigid waters of the local river
To her 8 younger brothers and sisters she was a loving caregiver and a mother figure ( her youngest sister Viance used to call her “Mom #2 “ ) Her work in the home was not easy, but she was a dutiful daughter and happy to be of service.
But Raffaela was truly in her element, when working outside the home. She would in a second, gladly exchange any of her household chores with sister Vittoria or other siblings for the opportunity to work in the bush, alongside her Dad and brother Sam, cutting and stacking wood, that was needed for making charcoal.
At the age of 25 she immigrated to Canada, a new land that promised adventure and wealth. Indeed, shortly after her arrival, Raffaela found the most precious treasure of her life, Adriano Pontellini, her fun-loving and loyal husband of 44 years. The birth of their 3 sons brought even more blessings of happiness and love into their lives. She joyfully embraced her responsibilities and roles as mother and wife and it was clear to everyone she met that Raffaela was faithfully devoted to her family.
Her home was always open to their many family and friends, where the food and the red wine flowed with no end. Raffaela was a great cook and would make delicious meals without any written recipes Her lasagna and Easter biscotti were two of her most popular dishes at our big family gatherings. It would always make us laugh when we asked her “How much flour goes into your Easter biscotti recipe?” and she would answer “As much as it will take.”
Raffaela enjoyed travelling and made several return visits to Italy. She also loved to vacation with family and friends in Mexico, Las Vegas and other vacation destinations. She had a natural love of music, gardening and was interested in learning new languages. In her leisure time, you could find her tending her garden, singing and listening to music on the Italian station or reading a book or two in Spanish.
In her later years, Raffaela had many health issues, but she was not one to complain. After a major stroke that left her paralyzed on her left side it would have been easy for Raffaela to let herself become bitter and to surrender to self-pity and regret; but her spirit of resilience, strength, and courage, carried her through the toughest of times. She didn’t let her limitations stop her from participating in the many wonderful activities and crafts offered at Villa Carital, where she spent the last years of her life. We would often find her cooking, playing ukulele, singing songs, enjoying a cappuccino, attending mass or out for an afternoon bus trip. For the most part, she seemed so cheerful among her new Italian friends and the staff in the care home. We are proud to have been part of her life and thankful , that she is now at peace.
Raffaela, we will always remember your gentle , kind and compassionate spirit. Your hard work and sense of service, your courage and strength and your devotion to your family.
Thank you for the love we’ve shared during your precious time on earth and for everything we have gained from your living. You will be deeply missed, but will remain in our memories and hearts, forever.
GOD BLESS