ORLANDI - Ada, ( April 5, 1924) succumbed to her cancer at age 92, having faced it with the same grace, strength and dignity as she had met every other challenge in her life. She did not allow these last few years to be shaped or defined by her illness; but rather by her deeply held personal faith, and her abiding love for her family. Ada’s life tracked a unique narrative, formed by a life lived in Greece, Italy, Argentina and finally Canada, all offering remarkable story lines of challenge, risk and reward. She was a strikingly intelligent woman and gifted with an ear for languages, speaking five fluently, and she could charm a room simply by walking into it. She was proudly stylish before her time, as so many students in her French classes at Immaculata High School would attest to over her lengthy teaching career. Ada was predeceased by her husband Romeo (1986) and her sister Luisa (2010) and is survived and missed by her much loved and loving daughter Gloria Lillos (Geoff) and her grandchildren Sarah and Stefan. She is also survived by her nephew Marzio Manderioli (Anita) and their son Jordan, in Kelowna, and by nephew Flavio Manderioli (Nereyda) and daughter Sofia, in Spain. The family would like to thank Dr. Colin Yarrow for his years of attentive care to Ada. Thanks as well to Marzio and to so many of her neighbors whose kind gestures, concern and watchful eyes helped keep Ada in her home well into this year. Special thanks to Celeste and her family and a particular thank you to Lynda and her family, who were there at every turn. Lynda was a much loved and dear friend to Ada over the years they shared a fence. A funeral mass will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1077 Fuller Avenue (at Gordon Drive), on Monday, July 18 at 1:00pm. Interment to follow at Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery. Ada requested no flowers, but the family would encourage a contribution to the Central Okanagan Hospice Association 104-1456 St. Paul Street Kelowna, BC V1Y 2E6 in her name. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com.
Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC. 250-762-2299