Mary Elizabeth Iannacone

With deep sadness and much love, we announce the peaceful passing of our mother Mary on March 22, 2025. She was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, Ernest (Ernie), sister Gerarda, and grandson-in-law Mike. She is lovingly remembered by sons Michael (Shirley) and Paul, daughter Julie (Rob), grandchildren Marissa (Dan), Jillian (Brad), Stefanie, Gregory (Mauricio), Mark (Chelsea), Georgia (Cliff), Wysia (Trevor), Isabella (Brian), Nicole (Darren), Kelsey (Menno) and Leah (Justin), 19 great-grandchildren, sister Assunta (Guido) Gabriele, sister-in-law Margaret Iannacone, and many nieces and nephews.

Maria Elisabetta was born to Teresa (née Rizzo) and Vito DeSanctis in Castelgrande, Potenza, a small town in the Italian Apennines. At 17, she and her 19-year-old sister Gerry immigrated to Canada. They boarded the SS Vulcania in Naples on June 26th, 1950, for a nine-day voyage across the Atlantic, to Pier 21, Halifax. They travelled to Vancouver by train, arriving on July 11th to join their father who had immigrated in 1949. The family was reunited when their mother and younger sister Sue arrived in 1951.

Once in Vancouver, Mom immediately started working; first at Hammond Furniture, then Debrett Chocolates, and eventually West Coast Woolen Mills, where she settled and made many friends. She was proud to be able to help several relatives get jobs at West Coast Woolen Mills. She studied English at night school, making excellent progress by practicing with her work friends and our dad Ernie, who she met almost immediately after arriving in Vancouver. They married in 1954, and Mom left work in 1955 to focus on raising their first of three children. She was the strong and critical foundation for our family of five; a calm and constant presence, offering support and love beyond measure. That love continued through the generations as she welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren, lavishing them with love and cuddles. No one could comfort a baby better than Mom.

Mom gave back to her community in many ways, including volunteering for over 30 years at Sir John Franklin Elementary School in East Vancouver. She greatly enjoyed her time there, helping children practice reading and assisting in the library. She was an avid reader, and had recently joined a book club. She loved life’s simple pleasures and was happiest at home, relaxing with her family, in jeans and a comfy sweater. She never forgot a birthday, or a phone number. She always paused to wave goodbye, often blowing a kiss to go with it. She will be greatly missed, yet she will always be remembered for her beautiful smile, her kindness, her warmth, and her generous and unconditional love.

Visitation Wednesday, April 9, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, Bell and Burnaby Funeral Chapel, 4276 Hastings St. Burnaby. Funeral Mass Thursday, April 10, 10:00 am at St. Helen’s Church, 3860 Triumph Street, Burnaby. Mom will be laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery, 5455 Fraser Street, Vancouver (between 31st Avenue and 33rd Avenue), next to her husband Ernie.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, in her honour, would be appreciated.

https://www.heartandstroke.ca/