When I was a little girl the Valentini family lived upstairs from me when I lived at 19 Hudson Bay Avenue. I remember the amazingly delicious smells that would come from upstairs in the Vanentini’s kitchen. I think I developed my love of pasta living in that place. Mrs. Valentini invited me for supper one day and I was delighted. She let me smell the herbs she was cooking with, I said mmm, they smell good, but I had no idea what I was smelling. Mr. and Mrs. Valentini along with the other Italian families in the building would get fresh grapes in every fall and they had a grape press in the basement. They’d press their grapes and make their wine. I got to taste the grape juice before it was wine and I loved it, the white was my favourite. I later got to taste some of the wine, it was pretty good too.

Dear Valentine family, we are so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. she was a beautiful woman in so many ways and has left many great memories with our children. We are also sending our condolences from Alfred DeRose her brother that lives in New York and all of his children and family. Our thoughts and prays are with you at this sad time.

A tutti condoglianze e affectuosita Delfina e Luigi De Cicco. Siamo al fiango a voi e risentiamo tutto l’amore che chi a tenuto sempre vicino. Baci…cugini Delfina and Luigi.

Some of my my grandest memories are stored and locked inside that quaint home on McCamus in Kirkland Lake. My teenage summers spent taking it easy with my extended family in K-L! Nothing like it! Treated like a king by Zu’ Cosimo and Zi’ Ottavia! All of the advice from fishing to making tea to cleaning fish to life’s hard lessons. A piece of my heart just died along with Zi’ Ottavia…but the lasting memories will always be there! It’s with the greatest joy and laughter that I recall every memory, but it’s with a heavy heart that I write this knowing that when we spoke last, it was our last chat. Although it’s like we never missed a moment of life, I know that you have peace now in the afterlife. God bless you…..condolences to Francis, Claudio, Robert and Silvana and your families. Zi’ Ottavia is much loved from this small corner. Robert De Cicco (Valentine) and family

Our sincerest condolences to you all, especially Francis, Claudio, Robert and Silvana. I remember when we came up one summer to Kirkland Lake…we brought up a 2 full luggages. Zia Ottavia said: “Cha vitti purtatu…tuttu Toronto?” We really didn’t need anything…Zia Ottavia made sure of that. But we still made it to the local mall with Sosilvia. We have so many fond childhood memories we shared. Zia Ottavia and Zio Cosimo came to our wedding back in September ’89, we were truly blessed to have our family reunited then. Zia Ottavia will be truly missed but will always be remembered in our hearts just like Zio Cosimo. God bless you all! Your cousins Sandra, Joe, Andrea and Alexander Li Calzi

Our heartfelt condolences to Francis, Claudio, Robert, Silvana and to your families. Zia Ottavia, what can I say? She was and always will be a “one-of-a-kind woman!” But, lets not forget her great cooking. I remember when she came to Toronto, she made a mean potatoe salad. Although distance kept us apart the memories will always last especially her laughter. May God Bless her and may she rest in peace. A great pair will greatly be missed, Zio Cosimo and Zia Ottavia.

Francess, Claudio, Robert, Silvana and grandchildren I was very saddened to hear about the passing of your mother / grandmother our zi’Ottavia”. I remember when we visited her in Kirkland Lake and when she visited us here in Toronto and they feel like just yesterday. I will always remember her great sense of humor, her sharp sarcasm, whit, her contagious smile, a laugh (that made her giggle all over) and especially her warmth. The only thing that separated us was distance. With Zi’Ottavia, you could always pick up where you left off even if years had passed. This is a gift that only few possess. Cheers to Zi’Ottavia for for her contributions and for touching the lives of all those around her, for surviving her hardships with grace, and for living a full, happy and healthy life. May God bless you all during this time of sorrow and may you be comforted by all your fond memories together. Even though we are not able to attend the funeral service, we will all be there in prayer and spirit…. your cousin Rose and family (Sergio, Matthew and Christopher) from Toronto, Ontario

Dear Valentine Family: With great sadness, my mother Enrica Cecol and the whole Cecol family would like to express our sincere condolences in the passing of our wonderful and old neighbour, Mrs. Valentini. Receiving the news today, brought a moment of sudden silence, deep sorrow and fond memories of the long and lasting friendship shared between our families. I remember the friendly visits made on each side of the street, sitting under the tree at the Valentini yard or in front of our home at 51 Labelle. Even though the âkidsâ moved away to pursue their studies and careers, your mother and my parents before their move to Oakville, Kirkland Lake always brought us home. It warmed my heart that my mother and your mother kept in touch with their telephone calls and shared their family news, joys and occasional stressors, but all in all, their continued connection will be missed by my mother. Now, I will not be able to ask, âMomma, did Mrs. Valentini callâ?? Now we must cherish and remember your motherâs loveliness, strength, humour, smile, fondness for her children, grandchildren and her strong sense of family and friendship. With a heavy heart, we feel remise that we are unable to be with you in body, but dear Valentine family, we will be with you in the spirit and heart of our long lasting friendship regardless of the distance. “Some people make the world special just by being in it.” Mrs. Valentini, thank you for being part of the Cecol familyâs life and world.

Claudio & family, We are sorry to hear of the passing away of your mother. We have fond memories of your Mom at Christmas time in Sault Ste Marie. Her cheering on of our hockey teams at the Christmas Jamboree and her making of everyone’s favorite treat ‘Nana Nuts(which are still a tradition in our family) will always be remembered. She was always laughing and teasing Phil about something. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Phil & Carolynne