Obituary for Nives Fortuna
Nives Fortuna
May 3, 1935 – May 28, 2022
This was written by Nives' daughters, Luana and Natalina, and represents each of their thoughts about their mother and best friend.
On Saturday, May 28, 2022, at 6:55 pm, with both of us at her side, we faced the unimaginable while we watched our precious mamma and Nonna Nives take her last breath on this earth. Our lives are changed forever. Our family has lost an incredible mamma, nonna, wife, mother-in-law, sister, best friend and a truly remarkable lady.
Our dear mother faced many difficult years with numerous obstacles along the way, and she endured more pain and suffering than she ever deserved. She battled every illness that came her way with courage and dignity, always putting her family before any of her challenges and troubles. With every setback that came her way, she always bounced back. We truly believed she was invincible. Somehow, we thought she would always be there - until suddenly she wasn’t.
There are so many words that can be used to describe this little lady: Generous. Intensely loving. Spicy. Cute. Compulsively clean. Unforgettable. One-of-a-kind. Fun loving. Fashionable. Proud. Thrifty. Stubborn. Feisty. Spunky. Charming. Witty. Awesome. Adorable. Stern, but soft at the same time. Beautiful, even at 87. So very clever. The funniest person we ever met. Our rock. Our sounding board. Our always and forever. She was larger than life, and her precious smile and infectious laugh would light up a room. Anyone who was ever lucky enough to cross her path would never forget her.
She came from very simple and humble beginnings, being born and raised in a tiny village called Krkavce (pronounced Kerkuche), in former Yugoslavia, which is now Slovenia, just across the border from Trieste, Italy. She endured many family losses. When she was a young girl, the Germans took her dad away in the middle of the night as she watched in terror, clutching her baby brother Antonio in her lap. She helped her mamma raise her five brothers and sisters. Many years later, she had to bury her mamma, who she fiercely loved, in Rome. She went on to eventually endure the deaths of three brothers - Arturo (Ottawa), Guido and Nicoleto (both in Italy), and most recently her sister Oliva in Chicago. Fortunately, her baby brother Antonio remained a large part of her life from afar in Trieste, calling almost every day particularly in recent years.
Mum met our dad Alcide (or Archie as everyone loves to call him) in Trieste, Italy and it is said that immediately upon meeting her, he swept her away on his motorcycle. They married in 1957 and, with $5 in their pocket and two-year-old Luana in tow, they came to Canada in 1960 to raise their family and give them a great life. They ended up in Ottawa, where they made countless friends and memories before moving to Calgary around 41 years ago during the construction boom, again to give their four children the best life possible.
While in Ottawa, Luana had a part time job at Laura Secord and mum, always being the jealous sort, wanted one too. So, Luana got mom a job at the Laura Secord store in Billings Bridge mall where the mother and daughter team often worked together. Between the years in Ottawa and the later years in Calgary, Mum ended up spending almost 30 years of her life selling ice cream and chocolates at Laura Secord. That job was her pride and joy. Any time she struggled to open the safe or balance the cash, she always told us she was going to quit, but we knew she never meant it. She treated that shoppe as if it was her own. We would often find her in the kitchen after work, making dinner for us while still wearing her Laura Secord apron. When her feet and legs finally gave up and she became too ill to continue working, all she talked about was that job and how much she missed it. She was so proud of getting her Laura Secord benefits coverage, and we actually found her Rowntree health card still in her purse a few days ago, after all these years.
Mum’s love of her life was our dad, Alcide. She loved and adored him with all her might. They were gloriously married for 64 years and 8 months. Their love and deep respect and adoration for each other was truly special. They shared endless special moments together and never went to bed without a kiss and good night. They took many happy trips throughout the years, always tightly holding hands together. Trips back to Italy, to Hawaii several times, Mexico, Vegas, San Diego and many other US cities and Canadian sites including the mountains, as well as trips to Toronto numerous times to visit Luana and Ron when they would frolic in the swimming pool.
In the year that mum spent at the Bethany Harvest Hills nursing home, dad visited her almost every single day without exception. He would make that drive back and forth from the house to visit mum over 700 times in the past twelve months. Except in the final weeks when she was extremely ill, her eyes would light up each time she saw him. He was the love of her life. She was his Tesoro, his amore mio, his whole reason for being. Our dad was deeply devoted to our mother, and we love him so very much for that.
At the nursing home, Mom’s favourite nurse Lillian once said to her, “I have never seen such a spoiled lady as you, Nives”. Mom responded, “My daughters are addicted to me”. The next day, dad brought her flowers and mom said to Lillian, “See, Archie is addicted too!” and, in her devilish way, she added, “Be careful, because you will get addicted to me as well!” She knew she had us wrapped around her finger, and YES, were all literally addicted to loving her.
Several years ago, Natalie took on the monumental task of single-handedly looking after mum and all her numerous health challenges and life needs. She was there for every single obstacle that mum faced, no matter what it was. Every doctor’s appointment and medical test, endless hours consulting with mum’s physicians and specialists, and hundreds of hours looking after all Mum’s never-ending needs and demands, including treating her to her favourite foods all the time. Natalie made her number one goal in life our mom’s happiness and well-being, and she was astoundingly great at it.
In the year that mum was at Bethany Harvest Hills, Natalie spent hundreds, no, probably thousands, of hours alone with mum in that room, showering her with love and devotion, looking after all her needs, making her laugh and bringing her joy. And she never once asked the rest of us for help. Mum taught Natalie to make her famous gnocchi in her final months from that room at the nursing home, which is something Natalie will never forget. Natalie, hold your head up high and be very proud of all that you did for our precious mom, and for putting her ahead of everything else in your life. You will forever be our family’s hero.
From afar, Luana was Natalie’s sounding board and guiding light in every decision involving mom’s care. Feeling helpless due to the long distance, Luana spent countless hours pouring her heart and soul into making beautiful handmade treasures for mom. Mum will be buried in the purple bed jacket that Luana lovingly made for her last Christmas, and which mum always loved to model for the nurses.
Her sons Walter and Paulo expressed their love each in their own way, and we know their love for mom was just as deep as ours. They too are deeply sorrowed by the loss of their precious mother.
Mum’s grandchildren Marissa, Nicolas, Olivia, Victoria and Ariana were each like a precious jewel to her. They were an enormous part of her life, and they brought her endless joy and she adored them intensely. There was never a visit where she didn’t give them a treat, and she often slipped them a $20, telling them, “Don’t tell your nonno!” Although her grandchildren’s love for her in return was equally intense, she always gave more than she was given.
Her sons-in-law, Ron and David, and daughter-in-law, Darilyn loved her too, and supported the family each in their own loving way. Ron affectionately called our mom Niv which she loved and, many years ago, he nicknamed dad Artichoke, or Choke for short, which made mum crack up every time.
Mum was an incredible cook. She was well known for her chef quality lasagna and veal. She firmly believed that potato chips were a food group. KFC was her favourite takeout meal, which she always devoured with such joy. We thank Colonel Sanders for bringing mum so much meal happiness.
Mum’s favourite words were WOW and Bella Mia Donna. She never ended a phone call without I Love You or Drive Slow. Her favourite songs were Tiny Bubbles, Mamma Mia and Que Sera Sera.
She was proudly old fashioned, and she always wore skirts. She was also famous for her curlers in the morning.
She loved birds and plants and flowers and angels, and she adored the mountains, but she loved the casino even more. Mamma, we know you are hitting jackpots right now at the big casino in the sky, sipping your favourite espresso.
Rest in peace, our precious and beautiful mamma. We are so very proud of you, and we thank you so much for being our mother. You will forever be our Bella Nostra Donna. We will find you in Heaven and, until then, may you always have an Angel by your side.
A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm at Choice Memorial (105, 4715 – 13 Street NE, Calgary, AB). FAMILY HAS ASKED THAT EVERYONE IN ATTENDANCE PLEASE WEAR A MASK FOR THE VISITATION.
A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Queen’s Park Cemetery (3219 – 4 Street NW, Calgary, AB). We will be meeting at the main gate (4 Street) and processing in collectively.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Nives, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
May 3, 1935 – May 28, 2022
This was written by Nives' daughters, Luana and Natalina, and represents each of their thoughts about their mother and best friend.
On Saturday, May 28, 2022, at 6:55 pm, with both of us at her side, we faced the unimaginable while we watched our precious mamma and Nonna Nives take her last breath on this earth. Our lives are changed forever. Our family has lost an incredible mamma, nonna, wife, mother-in-law, sister, best friend and a truly remarkable lady.
Our dear mother faced many difficult years with numerous obstacles along the way, and she endured more pain and suffering than she ever deserved. She battled every illness that came her way with courage and dignity, always putting her family before any of her challenges and troubles. With every setback that came her way, she always bounced back. We truly believed she was invincible. Somehow, we thought she would always be there - until suddenly she wasn’t.
There are so many words that can be used to describe this little lady: Generous. Intensely loving. Spicy. Cute. Compulsively clean. Unforgettable. One-of-a-kind. Fun loving. Fashionable. Proud. Thrifty. Stubborn. Feisty. Spunky. Charming. Witty. Awesome. Adorable. Stern, but soft at the same time. Beautiful, even at 87. So very clever. The funniest person we ever met. Our rock. Our sounding board. Our always and forever. She was larger than life, and her precious smile and infectious laugh would light up a room. Anyone who was ever lucky enough to cross her path would never forget her.
She came from very simple and humble beginnings, being born and raised in a tiny village called Krkavce (pronounced Kerkuche), in former Yugoslavia, which is now Slovenia, just across the border from Trieste, Italy. She endured many family losses. When she was a young girl, the Germans took her dad away in the middle of the night as she watched in terror, clutching her baby brother Antonio in her lap. She helped her mamma raise her five brothers and sisters. Many years later, she had to bury her mamma, who she fiercely loved, in Rome. She went on to eventually endure the deaths of three brothers - Arturo (Ottawa), Guido and Nicoleto (both in Italy), and most recently her sister Oliva in Chicago. Fortunately, her baby brother Antonio remained a large part of her life from afar in Trieste, calling almost every day particularly in recent years.
Mum met our dad Alcide (or Archie as everyone loves to call him) in Trieste, Italy and it is said that immediately upon meeting her, he swept her away on his motorcycle. They married in 1957 and, with $5 in their pocket and two-year-old Luana in tow, they came to Canada in 1960 to raise their family and give them a great life. They ended up in Ottawa, where they made countless friends and memories before moving to Calgary around 41 years ago during the construction boom, again to give their four children the best life possible.
While in Ottawa, Luana had a part time job at Laura Secord and mum, always being the jealous sort, wanted one too. So, Luana got mom a job at the Laura Secord store in Billings Bridge mall where the mother and daughter team often worked together. Between the years in Ottawa and the later years in Calgary, Mum ended up spending almost 30 years of her life selling ice cream and chocolates at Laura Secord. That job was her pride and joy. Any time she struggled to open the safe or balance the cash, she always told us she was going to quit, but we knew she never meant it. She treated that shoppe as if it was her own. We would often find her in the kitchen after work, making dinner for us while still wearing her Laura Secord apron. When her feet and legs finally gave up and she became too ill to continue working, all she talked about was that job and how much she missed it. She was so proud of getting her Laura Secord benefits coverage, and we actually found her Rowntree health card still in her purse a few days ago, after all these years.
Mum’s love of her life was our dad, Alcide. She loved and adored him with all her might. They were gloriously married for 64 years and 8 months. Their love and deep respect and adoration for each other was truly special. They shared endless special moments together and never went to bed without a kiss and good night. They took many happy trips throughout the years, always tightly holding hands together. Trips back to Italy, to Hawaii several times, Mexico, Vegas, San Diego and many other US cities and Canadian sites including the mountains, as well as trips to Toronto numerous times to visit Luana and Ron when they would frolic in the swimming pool.
In the year that mum spent at the Bethany Harvest Hills nursing home, dad visited her almost every single day without exception. He would make that drive back and forth from the house to visit mum over 700 times in the past twelve months. Except in the final weeks when she was extremely ill, her eyes would light up each time she saw him. He was the love of her life. She was his Tesoro, his amore mio, his whole reason for being. Our dad was deeply devoted to our mother, and we love him so very much for that.
At the nursing home, Mom’s favourite nurse Lillian once said to her, “I have never seen such a spoiled lady as you, Nives”. Mom responded, “My daughters are addicted to me”. The next day, dad brought her flowers and mom said to Lillian, “See, Archie is addicted too!” and, in her devilish way, she added, “Be careful, because you will get addicted to me as well!” She knew she had us wrapped around her finger, and YES, were all literally addicted to loving her.
Several years ago, Natalie took on the monumental task of single-handedly looking after mum and all her numerous health challenges and life needs. She was there for every single obstacle that mum faced, no matter what it was. Every doctor’s appointment and medical test, endless hours consulting with mum’s physicians and specialists, and hundreds of hours looking after all Mum’s never-ending needs and demands, including treating her to her favourite foods all the time. Natalie made her number one goal in life our mom’s happiness and well-being, and she was astoundingly great at it.
In the year that mum was at Bethany Harvest Hills, Natalie spent hundreds, no, probably thousands, of hours alone with mum in that room, showering her with love and devotion, looking after all her needs, making her laugh and bringing her joy. And she never once asked the rest of us for help. Mum taught Natalie to make her famous gnocchi in her final months from that room at the nursing home, which is something Natalie will never forget. Natalie, hold your head up high and be very proud of all that you did for our precious mom, and for putting her ahead of everything else in your life. You will forever be our family’s hero.
From afar, Luana was Natalie’s sounding board and guiding light in every decision involving mom’s care. Feeling helpless due to the long distance, Luana spent countless hours pouring her heart and soul into making beautiful handmade treasures for mom. Mum will be buried in the purple bed jacket that Luana lovingly made for her last Christmas, and which mum always loved to model for the nurses.
Her sons Walter and Paulo expressed their love each in their own way, and we know their love for mom was just as deep as ours. They too are deeply sorrowed by the loss of their precious mother.
Mum’s grandchildren Marissa, Nicolas, Olivia, Victoria and Ariana were each like a precious jewel to her. They were an enormous part of her life, and they brought her endless joy and she adored them intensely. There was never a visit where she didn’t give them a treat, and she often slipped them a $20, telling them, “Don’t tell your nonno!” Although her grandchildren’s love for her in return was equally intense, she always gave more than she was given.
Her sons-in-law, Ron and David, and daughter-in-law, Darilyn loved her too, and supported the family each in their own loving way. Ron affectionately called our mom Niv which she loved and, many years ago, he nicknamed dad Artichoke, or Choke for short, which made mum crack up every time.
Mum was an incredible cook. She was well known for her chef quality lasagna and veal. She firmly believed that potato chips were a food group. KFC was her favourite takeout meal, which she always devoured with such joy. We thank Colonel Sanders for bringing mum so much meal happiness.
Mum’s favourite words were WOW and Bella Mia Donna. She never ended a phone call without I Love You or Drive Slow. Her favourite songs were Tiny Bubbles, Mamma Mia and Que Sera Sera.
She was proudly old fashioned, and she always wore skirts. She was also famous for her curlers in the morning.
She loved birds and plants and flowers and angels, and she adored the mountains, but she loved the casino even more. Mamma, we know you are hitting jackpots right now at the big casino in the sky, sipping your favourite espresso.
Rest in peace, our precious and beautiful mamma. We are so very proud of you, and we thank you so much for being our mother. You will forever be our Bella Nostra Donna. We will find you in Heaven and, until then, may you always have an Angel by your side.
A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm at Choice Memorial (105, 4715 – 13 Street NE, Calgary, AB). FAMILY HAS ASKED THAT EVERYONE IN ATTENDANCE PLEASE WEAR A MASK FOR THE VISITATION.
A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Queen’s Park Cemetery (3219 – 4 Street NW, Calgary, AB). We will be meeting at the main gate (4 Street) and processing in collectively.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Nives, please visit www.choicememorial.com.