Assunta Croatto Ferlizza “Nonna” “Zia”
Born in Vallemontana, Udine, Italy January 9th 1920. Parents Teresa and Giovanni Croatto. Assunta was the second oldest of seven children raised in a mountain village in Italy. She married her childhood sweetheart in 1942 Antonio Pietro Ferlizza. The family immigrated to Canada in 1961 to seek a better life. They first settled in Prince George where she worked at the Prince George Hotel and later Inn off the North with her sisters. She also helped raise her two oldest granddaughters before moving to Penticton in 1976, as it reminded them of their homeland. She would ride her bike to work with her son Claudio at South Main Market to bake the bread every day. She was a hard worker who looked after her family. When South Main sold you would see her travelling to Summerland with her son Dario to help Claudio and Shannon renovate and open the Stonehouse. It was in honor of her and her sisters to name the Stonehouse “Zias”. When the children started to arrive she looked after the babies so the parents could run the restaurant. Customers will always remember her holding babies at the front of Zias. In 2010, Assunta moved to Summerland to the Seniors village where she made many friends and continued to come to the Zias Stonehouse. Assunta stayed active with family picnics, beach outings and gatherings with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She made the best Polenta, gnocchi and lasagna and her garden grew lettuce year round. Assunta is survived by her three children Dario Ferlizza, Diana(Alberto)Sultano, Claudio(Shannon) Ferlizza. Her grandchildren Tiziana, Lucia, Aviana, Tiana and Sophia as well as six great grandchildren. Special thanks to Dr. Barb Main for her gentle care and for giving her a good quality of life for so many years. Also the Dr. Andrew Pavilion staff for their care and support, you are a wonderful bunch who made our Nonnas life better. Prayers were held Thurs., Feb. 12, 2015 at 7:00pm followed by Mass of Christian burial on Feb. 13, 2015 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 1296 Main Street, Penticton, BC. Internment followed at Lakeview Cemetary, Penticton, BC. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.providencefuneralhomes.com. 250-494-7752