Francesca Marino

Francesca Marino

 It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our mom, Francesca Marino at the age of 89 on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. Francesca was born August 24, 1931 in Lago, Province of Cosenza, Italy. She came to Canada in 1953 and settled with her family in the railroad community of Nisa (between Jellicoe and Beardmore). By a chance encounter, she met my dad, Matteo, and he vowed to marry her and did. They started their life together in Longlac, eventually settling in Geraldton. Our mom lived for her family; she adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren and they adored her.  Our mom was always doing something, so it was normal to find her in the kitchen cooking or baking or outside tending to her garden and flowers. It was usually with her sister-in-law Evelina Marino, whom she was very close with. Her door was always open to all, especially for Sunday family dinners. To our mom, all our friends were family. Mom was a devout Catholic and a member of the Catholic Women’s League. Mom was always available to donate her famous ‘S’ cookies to any fundraiser or tea.  She will always be lovingly remembered by many as Nona. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Matteo, her daughter, Giovanna (Joanne) Kelner, her brother Joseph Muto, her sister Mercedes Franzoi, and her parents, Orlando and Rosanna Muto and several other family members and friends.

She is survived by five of her children, Coronata (Nata) Wheeler (Ernie), Antonio (Tony) Marino (Jocelyne), Justina (Judy) MacIver (Stewart), Guiseppina (Pina) Luomala (Allan), and Giovanni (John) Marino (Jody); her son-in-law Bill Kelner; her 12 grandchildren, Wade Wheeler, Dawn Wheeler, David Kelner (Nathalie), Amy Dodwell (Dillon), Savanna Marino (Lance McMahon), Matthew Marino, Stu MacIver (Courteney Purves), Sara MacIver (Scott Hunking), Erik Luomala, Markus Luomala, Nicholas Marino, and Makenna Marino; her 15 great-grandchildren, Kloe, Ava, Addie, Emelie, Gracie, Hudson, Vaughn, Brooks, Taya, Nash, Sienna, Peston, Walter, Rockwell, Audrey, and Emersyn; her brother Tony Muto (Roxy) and sister Evelyn Salerno and many other family members and friends.

The family would like to extend their heart felt thanks to the staff of the The Geraldton District hospital and the John Owen Evans Residence. They took very good care of our mom.

A Private Funeral Mass for family will be held this week

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the John Owen Evans Residence.

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