Mirella Donnini

Obituary

On Saturday October 7 2023, Mirella Donnini decided to move on and died peacefully in Chesley Ontario.

In the span of her life, she lived on 3 continents.  She was born in North Africa in 1930, a world on the brink of conflict.  Spent time in Italy during the second world war then returned to Libya.  Married Enrico Donnini (deceased 1999) and together they built a family in the Italian community there.  The family was struck with polio when eldest son Paolo contracted the disease.  It was time to return to Italy for various reason.  Napoli is where they settled.  She was the rock that kept everything together.  Husband working, son in treatments and young Alessandro adapting to a new life. By 1970, with turmoil in Europe, the family decided to move yet again. To Canada this time and with the surprise addition of Piergiorgio, 11 years late as always.   From the time they first enquired about immigrating to Canada, this great country showed them why they had made the right choice.  With a job for Enrico at Douglas Point secured, they settled on London Ontario for the next phase.  Juggling English as a second language courses, a brand-new home, three boys with different needs, a job at Eaton’s, and a partner starting a new business, she once again held it all together.  Canada was welcoming and kind to the family and they never forgot what opportunities were here for them.

In 1991, with sons, Alex degrees from Western and Harvard working in Boston, Paolo with a Masters in Chemical Engineering in Sarnia and Pier fighting his way onto Bay Street in Toronto, Mirella and Enrico decided it was time to retire with a move back to Italy.

She came back to Canada in 1999 after Enrico died so she could be closer to all her children. Establishing a close relationship with Catherine Wentworth, her daughter in law, they kept each other on their toes.

Grandchildren, Gabriel, Olivia, Matthew, Adele, Isabel, Daniel and Alessio will always remember her.  Great grand daughter Lili didn’t get to know her.

There will be no service and in time she will return to Italy to be with Enrico.

Ciccia to some, nonna to others and mamma to her sons. Opinionated, vocal and generous she will not be forgotten.

She lived a full life.  Many adventures, challenges, heartbreak, and fulfillment.  We should all wish for lives this engaged and can honour her memory by living our lives as fully as possible.