Obituary of Lilla Eroina Daprocida

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother (Lilla) Eroina Daprocida who passed away on January 15, 2023 in Kimberley, BC at the age of 88 years.

Lilla Eroina Chiricosta Monoriti was born in Pietrapennata, Reggio Calabria, Italy on March 24, 1934. In 1957 she became engaged to Giuseppe (Joe) Daprocida and then immigrated to Canada in 1959. Eroina and Joe were married on February 7, 1959 in Kimberley, BC. They were married almost 64 years at the time of her passing. They lived their entire lives in Kimberley and bought their first home in 1961 on Wallinger Avenue and then moved to their current home on Levirs Avenue in1983.

Eroina is survived by her loving husband, Joe, daughters Aida Rowat (Darrell), Edina Lobban, Joy Brown (Robert), and son Paul Daprocida (Kristen). She was called Nonni by her ten grandchildren, Amanda Rowat (Sam), Amy Cunningham (Lawrence), Wayne Lobban (Katy), Blair Lobban (Robynne), Randy Lobban, Nicholas Lobban, Kaitlyn Witten (Daniel), Taylor Brown, Jake Daprocida, and Sam Daprocida. Nonni was also blessed to have nine great grandchildren, Camryn, Kalle, Jacqueline, Ronan, Lilla, Sophia, Samuel, Ava and Lawrence. Eroina is also survived by her sister Ovida Iraria in Belgium as well as several other family members in Canada and Italy. She was predeceased by her parents and three brothers as well as an infant daughter and her son in law Richard Lobban.

Eroina was immensely proud of her family. She often said she must have done something right to have created such a loving family and she leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories.

Although she lived most of her adult life in Canada, Eroina was a very proud Italian. She was a keen Italian soccer fan and during World Cup, soccer was her first priority. She also loved Sophia Loren who was her favourite Italian actress.

At the age of 14, Eroina became a seamstress learning how to sew and create her own patterns. She began sewing for others in Italy and continued to sew when she arrived in Canada. Eroina was an outstanding seamstress sewing for several people in Kimberley in her younger years. She was known for her quality sewing skills and it’s very likely that her velvet pillows are still decorating some chesterfields in Kimberley.

Eroina had a green thumb evidenced by her beautiful unique indoor and outdoor plants. She appreciated the view from her sundeck and her favourite summer morning pastime was waiting for the hummingbirds to arrive outside her sundeck window. Eroina and Joe had a love of gardening and had a beautiful garden which they harvested and enjoyed throughout the year.

At the age of 75 Eroina was given her first IPAD and became very adept at researching on Google and using Facebook to communicate with her family and friends in Canada, Italy and Belgium.

Eroina was an excellent cook and loved family gatherings with spaghetti and meatball dinners. She loved to bake bread and was still baking her own bread at 88 years old. Nonni shared several of her family recipes with her grandchildren and taught them some of her cooking skills.

Eroina was a sweet, kind women of faith who trusted that God would keep her and her family safe and well. As her health declined, she often repeated the quote: "Whatever God wants, I’m in his hands”.

The family would like to thank Dr. Shaun Van Zyl, for his quality care over the years as well all the nursing and hospital staff in Interior Health in Kimberley and Cranbrook. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society.

A service for Eroina will be held on Saturday, January 21 at 11 am at the Sacred Heart Church. 502 Church Avenue, Kimberley BC. Reception to follow at the Catholic Church Hall. The entombment will take place at 2:30 p.m. at the Westlawn Cemetery Mausoleum, 521 Borden Road W, Cranbrook BC.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Services.