Swinney, Antinesca (Toni)

Jan 25, 1923 – Sep 5, 2013

We say a loving good bye to Antinesca (Toni) Swinney (nee Grillo) who left us September 5, 2013.

Mom was born in a small village in northeast Italy on January 25, 1923, the youngest of five children.  She is predeceased by her loving husband Willard, brother Americo Grillo and sisters Misurina Pagurut, Sarah Lovisotto and Teresina Piovesan.

Toni immigrated to Canada in 1937 with her mother and two sisters.  They joined her father in Cranbrook.  Mom worked in the kitchen of the Cranbrook Hospital where one of the nuns gave her the name Toni, and she has been Toni ever since.  She remembers a kitchen garden, fresh chickens, starting boilers at 5 am and making 25 pies in the mornings.

In 1946 mom married the love of her life, a lanky farm boy from southern Alberta.  They had a wonderful marriage until Willard’s passing in 1998.

Mom was a wonderful cook and took great pride in transforming garden produce into delicious meals.  Mom and dad spent countless pleasurable hours together in their garden.

Mom was a loyal member of St. Mary’s Parish for about 65 years, until she moved to Castlegar to be closer to family.  Toni spent the last 11 years of her life making new friends and meeting old ones at Castlewood Village.  One of her most pleasant activities was spending time in the beautiful gardens tended by the residents.

A celebration and remembrance of Antinesca will be held on Monday, September 16, 2013 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Cranbrook at 1 pm

www.markmemorial.com

Feature photo courtesy of Through My Eyes Photography

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