Obituary of GRAZIA LAO

GRAZIA LAO

(Nee Cammarata)

It is with heavy hearts that the family announces the sudden passing of their wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, Grazia Lao at the age of 77 years at the Health Sciences Centre on Monday, September 10, 2018.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Sebastiano Lao; three children Salvina Colavito (Harvey), Corrado Lao (Cynthia) and Giuseppina Proskurnik; grandchildren Michele Colavito (Shawna), Sebastian Colavito, Madolyn Proskurnik (Brady), Sebastian Lao (Danielle), Carmine Lao (Alecia), Kara Nickerson (Matthew), Kristin Smith (Adam), Michael Smith; great grandchildren Francesco and Matteo Colavito and Mila Nickerson; sisters Maria Crupi (Filippo), Enza Maiorino (Liberato); brothers Antonio Cammarata (Kittie), Michele Cammarata (Dayle) and numerous nephews and nieces.

She was predeceased by her parents Giacomo and Giuseppina Cammarata; brother Francesco Cammarata and sister-in-law Domenica Cammarata.

Grazia was born December 21, 1940 in Villarosa, Enna, Sicily. She married Sebastiano Lao in 1956 via proxy and united with her husband in 1957 to start their life together. She worked as a professional seamstress in various leather facilities and retired at an early age of 52 due to her kidney failure. She received a kidney transplant which gave her a second chance on life and became one of only a few people to survive a 24 year kidney transplant.

She was a master cook, and excelled in baking bread, pizza and especially her cookies. Everyone knew her as the “cookie lady”.

Her love and richness in life was her family. She loved all and everyone and her home was open to all.

The family would like to thank all the nurses and doctors at MICU/Health Sciences Centre; doctors and staff at the Renal Clinic, Dr. Stoez, Dr. Rush and Dr. Kapinski.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 15 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church, 510 River Avenue, with viewing and Rosary to start at 9:00 a.m. Entombment to follow at Queen of Heaven Mausoleum, Assumption Cemetery, 3990 Portage Avenue West. Reception to follow at the Clarion Hotel, 1445 Portage Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations in Grazia’s memory may be made to the Kidney Foundation.