Obituaries

PETRETTA, Gina

PETRETTA: Gina. It is with sadness that we announce that Gina Petretta (Prioreschi) passed away peacefully at Cottonwoods on Sept 20, 2018 at the age of 98. She was predeceased by her husband Giovanni, her parents Maria and Marsilio, and all nine siblings. Gina is survived by her children, Giuseppe (Joe) & wife Gerry, daughters Rita Conroy and Maria Pia Foss. She will be deeply missed by her grandchildren: Meaghan (Salem), Sean, Gregory (May), Angela (Gregory), Robert (Emily), Cameron (Bailey), Adam (Francesca), and Aynsley (Greg) as well as 7 great-grandchildren: Ali, Carina, Mason, Jackson, Rosa, Leo and Nora, two sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews in Canada and Italy. Gina, also known as Mamma, Nonna or simply G, was a small but mighty woman! Born in Bardalone, San Marcello Pistoia Italy on Mar 19, 1920, Gina began working in a factory at age 11 until 1946 when she married Giovanni. Early in the marriage they moved to Santo Stefano Del Sole, Avellino, Italy. After 4 years the opportunity arose to emigrate to Canada. In November 1950 Gina sailed with son Joe (3 yrs old) to be with her husband in Kelowna. Gina encouraged her husband they buy a farm so they could work for themselves. Fervently working the land, she always ensured both farm and family were well cared for. Baking bread in the middle of the night was not unusual. She worked hard at everything she did. Nonna Gina was also a great story teller. She could captivate her children and grandchildren with her life stories, adding colourful details for effect. Gina laughed genuinely, prayed earnestly and had an enduring faith. May she be at peace knowing she made a difference in the lives of many. The family would like to thank the staff at Cottonwoods Care Centre for the excellent care, friendship and loving kindness bestowed on Gina. Prayers will be recited from the Chapel of First Memorial Funeral Services, 1211 Sutherland Ave on Sunday, November 4th, 2018 at 5:30 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Pius X Catholic Church 1346 Gordon Drive on Monday, November 5th, 2018 at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow in the Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery. . In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Kelowna General Hospital Foundation, 2268 Pandosy St Kelowna BC V1Y 1T2 or Canadian Mental Health Association, 504 Sutherland Ave Kelowna BC V1Y 5X1. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com. Arrangement entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna. 250-762-229

Link: www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com

Condolence Messages

Oct 11, 2018
Joe, Gerry, Rita, Pia and families,

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Gina. Her stature belied her energy and her presence, Gina was a "firecracker" and truly an inspiration to us all. She will be missed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, God Bless.

Mike, Filomena & All Romei's
Oct 06, 2018
Joe and Gerry,

We are sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Angelina and Joe
Oct 03, 2018
Joe & Gerry, sorry for your loss.

Robyn Gold
Oct 03, 2018
Pia, Rita, Joe and families...my Mom (Edna Shaw) and I were both so sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. She was such a great neighbour and shared so much of her knowledge of food and wine with my family! Gina always had a smile for me. After I moved to the Lower Mainland I would see her at St Pius when we were in town and we would sit together and have a little visit. She loved seeing my kids grow up. God Bless.

Sincerely, Gail (Shaw) Pickard
Oct 02, 2018
Rita, so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. Extending my deepest sympathy to you and your family.

Linda (Kimura) Uemoto
Oct 02, 2018
My prayers are with you Joe, Rita and Pia, our family loved your kind, strong happy Mum. We lived at the end Of Glenella Place and watched you all growing up with your wonderful Gina. Our thoughts are with you and your families at this sad time. Angela Kaye
Oct 02, 2018
Joe and Gerry,

My sincere condolences to you and your family.

Silvana Corradetti
Oct 01, 2018
Dear Joe and Gerry, and all the family, so sorry to hear of your loss. No matter how long we have them in our lives, we are never ready to lose them.

Big hugs to you, Maureen & Tim Rieger
Sep 30, 2018
Pia and Joe and Rita and Family,

My thoughts are with you as you celebrate your mother and grieve her passing. She was a kind little spirit with a twinkle in her eye! With her love and strength of will and unwavering faith she encouraged us all to do our best. I am grateful to have known her. XO Carol Stewart (Cornish)
Sep 30, 2018
To Gerry, Joe and family, you had an amazing mother - her well lived life sounds fascinating.

My sympathies and thoughts are with you.

Kathleen McFadden Heffernan
Sep 30, 2018
Mrs. Petretta would light up a room when she entered a room. Joy, love and faith always followed her. She will be missed, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Domenic and Lina Rampone
Sep 29, 2018
Joe, Gerry, Rita and Pia, so sorry to hear of Gina's passing. She will certainly be missed by all who were fortunate to have known her. I will always treasure her friendship and kindness she showed to my family. Gina always made time to share her wonderful baking with us. I know that she is with Michele, Beatrice and Giovanni smiling down on us. We were lucky to have known her.

Gina (Rossi) Amarilli and family.
Sep 28, 2018
Joe and Gerry,

Our condolences to you and your family. Take care.

Tony and Connie Goncalves
Sep 28, 2018
Joe and family,

We just read the wonderful obituary of your Mom, Gina. What a full and eventful life she lead with lots of family including children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Even though we never got to meet your Mom Joe, we now know why you turned out to be such a great guy...she did a good job of raising you.

Dennis and Heather Semeniuk
Sep 28, 2018
Rita, I am so sorry to hear about your mom. Thinking of you at this most difficult time.

Debbie MacKinnon
Sep 28, 2018
Deep condolences. She will be missed deeply but remembered always.

Tiziana
Sep 28, 2018
Joe, Gerry, Rita, Rob, and families,

We're so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts are with you all.

Peter and Debbie Fairweather
Sep 28, 2018
Joe & Gerry,

My sincere condolences to you and your family on the loss of your mom and gramma.

Sincerely, Connie Bielert
Sep 28, 2018
Rita and Joe,

Sorry to hear about your mother. Please take care.

Brian and Bea Yamaoka
Sep 27, 2018
Our condolences on the loss of your mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. She was a good friend of the family, one of the first families my mom and dad, Pasquale and Vittoria, got to know in Kelowna, have some good memories.

May God bless you all,

Joe and Bianca Iafrancesco.
Sep 27, 2018
Joe, Rita and Pia,

We are very sorry to hear of Nonna Ginas' passing. We have many fond memories of Nonna G. She was a fine example of hard working, loving and caring and generous person. She will always be in our hearts and our memories. May she rest in peace.

Giuseppe and Franca La Melia
Sep 27, 2018
Pia, so very sorry to hear of your mother's passing.

Donna Johnson (Wolfe)
Sep 27, 2018
Rita and family, so very sorry to hear of your mother's passing. May the many wonderful memories sustain you through this difficult time.

Shirley Tanemura
Sep 27, 2018
Sorry to hear of the passing of your mom, may she rest in peace.

Peter and Luisa Fusco
Sep 27, 2018
Rita, so sorry to hear about your mom. My thoughts are with you.

Dawn Ashton
Sep 27, 2018
To Joe, Gerry, Robert and your family - We are very sorry to hear about the passing of your Mom and Nonna. May her memories bring you peace and comfort.

David and Cathy Biagi
Sep 27, 2018
Pia Maria, so sorry to hear of your Mum's passing.

Ray Moore
Sep 26, 2018
Joe, Rita, Pia and Gerry, we are so sorry to hear of Nonna's passing. We always enjoyed seeing her at the Italian Picnic. She brought back many memories of my own Nonna growing up in Trail. Our thoughts are with you and your families at this sad time.

Lorne and Patti Buna
Sep 26, 2018
I remember Mrs Petretta from my childhood in Glenmore; very sorry to hear of her passing; very fond memories of growing up with Joe, Rita & Pia

Mike Karran
Sep 26, 2018
To Joe, Rita and Pia:

We are very sorry to hear of your mother's passing. She was an incredible lady with unending energy and passion for life. We can attest to how wonderful her bread was, and to how generous and kind she was to everyone she met. A humble lady with a servant's heart!

Flavio and Marzio Manderioli
Sep 26, 2018
Joe & Rita - I dearly loved you Mom - she was so vibrant, & lively - such a hard worker, may she rest in peace. Alice Lundy