Lorenza Bernardo

She was born in Cleto, Cosenza, Italy where she grew up on a farm with an olive grove overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.

She was picking chestnuts with her sister Elisandrina in nearby Aiello when she fell in love with her soulmate Augusto. They were married in Cleto on January 18, 1959 and became a family in October of that year with the birth of their first daughter Pina. In February 1962, Lorenza, Augusto and their second daughter, Donisa moved to McBride, BC, Canada where they created a strong circle of friends with fellow immigrants from Italy, forged new bonds with many Robson Valley neighbours and expanded their family with the births of Gisella, Marisa, Marcella and Dino.

In December 1971, Lorenza's sister Elisandrina arrived from Italy.

The famliy moved to Kamloops in August 1979 which would be her final resting place.

Lorenza is predeceased by her daughters Pina (September 1960) and Marisa (November 1969) as well as her parents Gaspare and Antonia Perri. Her seven sisters and three brothers - Maria Francesca, Battista, Cristina, Carmela, Elisa, Aquilina, Elisandrina, Loretta, Giuseppe and Michele - all passed on before she was ready to leave us. Lorenza is also predeceased by three brothers-in-law Florindo, Orlando and Maurino. She lost her beloved nephew Gino Franchini May 31, 1990.

We believe he was there to welcome her to Heaven that same date.

Along with her devoted husband Augusto, Donisa, Gisella, Marcella and Dino, Lorenza is survived by her brothers-in-law Guerino Bernardo and Cesare (Ida) Bernardo as well as sisters-in-law Assunta Perri, Ida Paladino, Giuseppina Bernardo and Emma Bernardo, numerous nephews and nieces in Italy, Germany and Canada and many God children.

She leaves behind her several dear friends who treasured her company, advice and shoulder-shaking laughter.

When she wasn't cooking huge meals for special occasion or family and friends passing through Kamloops, Lorenza enjoyed being a personal shopper for her kids and chatting on the phone just catching up, trading recipes or diligently reporting what's on sale at her favourite stores.

Our family would like to thank Dr. Servaas Swart and his office staff for their dedicated care of Lorenza over the past few years, many home health community care aides and all the frontline staff at Royal Inland Hospital - especially the compassionate nurses, gentle care aides and kind porters in the emergency department and 7North.

We're also grateful for the workers and volunteers at the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home who made her final days comfortable and peaceful.

Prayers will be recited 7:30pm on Friday June 10, 2022 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Kamloops. Father Fred Weisbeck will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial 12:00pm on Saturday,June 11, 2022. Entombment will follow in the Sage Valley Mausoleum at Hillside Cemetery.

Donations can be made in honour of Lorenza to the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation and the Kamloops Hospice Association.

Online streaming of the service will be available at the following link -

https://funeraweb.tv/diffusions/55086

This link is password protected by - 341801004950