Surrounded by her family, Carmela died peacefully on her 91st birthday, Friday January 31, 2020. Predeceased by her loving husband, Antonio (1965), she was a loving, supportive and committed mother with a very big heart and will be profoundly missed by her four children, Dominic (Heather), Carm (Catherine), Felicia (Antonio Idone), and Cono (Rita).

A warm and generous Nonna, she will be deeply missed by Jessica, Laura (Josh Bowie), Erika, Jennifer Brown, Rachel, Stephanie (Nathan Sonnenberg), Paul (Jennifer), Sonia (Frank Pagliarello), Sofia (Angelo Epifano), and Daniela (Dawid Kocikowski). She was a very proud Great-Nonna of: Madeleine, Noah, Darwin, Rhys, Cameron, Claire, Brodie, Parker, Tommaso, Victoria, Benjamin, Massimo, Alisa, Attilio, and Giada.

Predeceased by her parents Carmelo and Angelina Calcerano, and her brothers Calogero, Giuseppe, and Carmelo. She leaves behind her brother Salvatore (Pina), sister Anna Rita (Giuseppe Barone), sister-in-law Tanina (the late Carmelo) in Italy.

She will also be fondly remembered by her extended family and many friends throughout Canada and Italy.

Born in Naso, Sicily (Italy), Carmela was the eldest of 6 children and blessed with a long, rich and rewarding life. She had many passions such as cooking, baking, knitting, music, and sewing, but most of all she was passionate about her family and loved being a Mother, a Nonna and a Great-Nonna.

Friends are invited to visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair and McGarry, 315 McLeod Street (O’Connor at Gladstone), Ottawa on Tuesday February 4th, from 3-5 PM and 7-9 PM. Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church 427 Booth Street, Ottawa on Wednesday February 5th at 10 AM. Reception to follow at the McGarry Family Reception Centre immediately following. Private interment at Notre Dame Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.