Obituary of Teresa Pecora

TERESA PECORA (BENNARDO) passed away peacefully at Marshall Gowland Manor on Monday March 11, 2019 encircled by her family.  Teresa was born in Rovito, Cosenza, Italy on September 10, 1926 daughter of Giuseppe & Rosina Bennardo. Devoted wife of the late Mario Pecora, the two of them started their new life together like so many other immigrants in Bluewater. Beloved mother of Adriana Pecora Cottrill (Burt Peeters), Rose Haggart (Terry), Elena Pecora and Robert Pecora (Julie). Loving Nonna to James Peeters, Katie Haggart (Chris Grieve), Carla Haggart, Laura Haggart, Tania Lavoratore, Kayla Pecora, Elliot Pecora (Melissa) and Marlowe Pecora. Sister of Maria Laudonio, Lisetta Ventura and Elena Scarpelli. Predeceased by brothers Michele, Luigi, Franco and Salvatore Bennardo and sister Carolina Scrivano. Teresa went beyond the traditional role of wife and mother adapting to Canadian life by learning to drive and working outside the home at a time when most women did not.  She was a meticulous seamstress/tailor working at The Vanity Shoppe, Saks, Walker Brothers, Craig Blair Men’s shop and The Den. Teresa was happiest with all her family seated at the dinner table.  She maintained Italian traditions at Christmas and Easter while embracing Canadian Thanksgivings with Turkey & all the trimmings. She was incredibly resourceful, sewing clothes for her family, canning tomatoes & peppers, and making sausage and prosciutto. She was active in the Italian Community as a member and cook at the Dante Club and a member of St Peter’s Catholic Women’s League.  She enjoyed playing cards and bocce at the Italian Pensioner’s Club and Dante club. Teresa’s love of family, cooking and gardening is passed along to her children who in turn pass it along to theirs, ensuring a little piece of her lives on.  Teresa’s family would like to express its gratitude to the tremendous support provided by the staff of Marshall Gowland Manor, particularly the Iris Unit. We are humbled and extremely grateful for all that they do not only for our sick and dying loved ones, but all that they do for families. Their love, compassion, wisdom and tenderness made our grief a little easier to bear.  Visitation will be held at the McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 431 Christina St. N., Sarnia, on Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church.  Interment Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, friends who wish may send memorial donations to Marshall Gowland Manor Residents Council, 749 Devine St., N7T 1X3.  Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com