Concetta Signorelli

Concetta Signorelli (née Barbusca) passed away peacefully, surrounded by all her loving family, at home in North Vancouver on June 25, 2024 at the celebrated age of 100 years, after a valiant battle with cancer. Born in Enna, Sicily, Italy to Francesco Paolo Barbusca and Maria Termine, she was the 6th of 8 living children. After her father’s death, she was placed in an orphanage run by the Canossian Sisters for 10 years where she received her faith formation. There she also learned the fine art of design and embroidery, which enabled her to begin her own elite business, creating countless one of a kind trousseau linens. In 1948, she married Calogero Signorelli and in 1956, together with their 2 children, they immigrated to North Vancouver where they raised their 4 beloved daughters: Maria, Yolanda, Rita and Rosanna. Concetta began her own seamstress business where she designed and sewed women’s couture clothing, wedding dresses and also did alterations for her many loyal clients and her family. She was sought after for her special talent of invisible mending which involved the meticulous art of weaving individual threads to repair tears and holes, especially in men’s suits. One of her most beautiful legacies is the hand stitched altar cloths used at Holy Trinity Church on high feast days. Throughout the years, she made many friends at Holy Trinity, and in both her central and upper Lonsdale neighbourhoods. Fresh bread, biscotti, a hot cup of tea, a listening ear and wise advice were always to be found at her kitchen table. Her faith was of utmost importance to her and was evident in the way she lived her life and raised her family. She enjoyed cooking for large family gatherings, taking countless trips and cruises with her husband and her daughters, spending time near the ocean, painting, drawing, knitting, crocheting and writing.

She is predeceased by her husband, Calogero and grandson, David. She is survived by her daughters Maria (Mario), Yolanda (Brian), Rita (Richard) and Rosanna (Paul). She is also survived by her grandchildren Carmelo (TJ), Cristina (Dylan), Lisa (Vahid), Luisa, Richard (Vanilla), Carla (Trevor), and Sara, and 10 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the many wonderful caregivers, nurses and doctors for their loving care and attention.

Prayers will be held at Holy Trinity Church on July 3rd at 6:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Trinity Church on July 4th at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holy Trinity Church, 2705 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, BC V7N 3J2.