Iolanda (Mazzotta) Palermo

On November 3, 2024, at 1:20 PM, a strong and wonderful woman, Iolanda Palermo (née Mazzotta), passed away in Kamloops, surrounded by her family. Iolanda was born at home on May 4, 1933, in Lago, Cosenza, Italy, and was the third daughter of Bruno and Assunta Mazzotta. She was predeceased by her husband Antonio Palermo; her parents, Assunta and Bruno; her niece, Angela Porco; and three brothers-in-law. She leaves behind her son, Florindo (Florry); her daughter, Angela; granddaughter, Shawna; grandson, Steven; and great-granddaughter, Brooklyn. Also mourning her are her four sisters, Anna Mazzotta, Mafalda Porco, Antonietta Sartori, and Franca Cinel, as well as her two brothers, Joe and Ector Mazzotta, and their families.

As a young lady growing up on a farm in Lago, Iolanda was the strongest and hardest worker among the Mazzotta sisters. Anna, Mafalda, and Iolanda worked in the fields, tended the sheep, and carried heavy loads on their heads. She married Antonio in Lago on October 22, 1955, and a few days later she, along with Mafalda and Joe, left Naples and arrived in Halifax eleven days later. After five days on the CNR train, they arrived in Kamloops on November 11 and lived in a garage. She and Mafalda found work washing dishes, and later, Iolanda worked at Whiteway Laundry for many years.

A few years later, she and Antonio, along with Mafalda and her husband Fiore, bought their first home on the 600 block of Battle Street. Florindo (Florry) was born there in 1959, and thirteen months later, Angela arrived. Iolanda's life was complete. Along with raising her two children, she became a "mother" to all her nieces, nephews, and various neighborhood children. She continued this loving, nurturing role throughout her life, with her great-granddaughter, Brooklyn, being the last to be blessed with her care.

It cannot be stressed enough how much love and attention she poured into all the children fortunate enough to be in her presence. One tradition from Lago that she kept alive was making the Parma for all the children in her life. She would build it with bamboo, decorate it with crepe paper, bake the chambrelle and mustatsova, and hang them on the Parma. Her children, nieces, and nephews would receive these gifts at Easter. Many of her nieces and nephews will also fondly remember how delicious her bread and culluri were.

One of her other passions was her garden—both the vegetable garden, as is common in Italian households, and her flower garden. Her huge trumpet vine attracted all who passed by her house. Even wedding parties would stop by and ask if they could have their photos taken by the vine or her flower pots. Like many immigrants, she found meaning in working with her hands, and one of her favorite tasks was knitting. She would knit anything, and her wool slippers were legendary; nearly all of our families had at least two or three pairs.

Thank you for all that you have done to make this world better. You will be forever missed and never forgotten.

A viewing will be held on Friday, November 8, at 11:00 AM at Schoening Funeral Service (513 Seymour Street), followed by an interment at Sage Valley Mausoleum at 12:30 PM.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Schoening Funeral Service.