Obituary of Francesca Rapisarda

Francesca Rapisarda "Frances" (nee Spina) 1920 - 2018 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, Frances Rapisarda on Monday, January 15th, 2018 at the age of 97 in Cranbrook, BC. Frances was born on April 12, 1920 in Mascali, Sicily and was the youngest of five siblings. She married her husband, Francesco Rapisarda in 1943. In December 1951, she made the courageous journey to immigrate to Canada with their two young children, Felicia and Johnny. They settled in Nelson, BC and lived there for 38 years. In 1989, they moved to Cranbrook, BC to be closer to their son Johnny and their three grandchildren. Frances enjoyed gardening, sewing, needlework, and a 'beddo piatto di pasta' (plate of pasta) on Sundays. She loved to tell stories of her adventures from her youth and she spent many hours watching her grandchildren grow and her four great grandchildren laugh, play and dance. Frances was predeceased by her three older sisters and brother, her husband, Francesco, in 2005, and her son, Johnny, in 2015. She is survived by her daughter, Felicia, daughter-in-law, Carmela, her three grandchildren, Frank, Mary and Elisa, and her four great-grandchildren, Giovanni, Evangeline, Giuliano, Elliana, her dancing girl. A visitation for Frances will be held at McPherson Funeral Home in Cranbrook on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm. The funeral mass for Frances will be celebrated on Thursday, January 25, 2018 at Christ The Servant Catholic Church in Cranbrook at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Frances' memory to the: Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon, Okanagan/Kootenays Area Office, #4, 1551 - Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1Y 9M9. Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service. Condolence for the family can be offered at: www.mcphersonfh.com