104 reasons to celebrate
Family and friends will gather today to help Westcourt resident Santa Vasta celebrate her 104th birthday.
FAMILY and friends will gather today to help Westcourt resident Santa Vasta celebrate her 104th birthday.
Born Santa Giuffrida on February 16, 1914, in the small Sicilian town of Milo, she was the second youngest in a family of six girls and two boys.
“Life was extremely difficult with World War I creating hard times, as well as taking the lives of family members,” says granddaughter Nancy Wotherspoon.
“Santa married Giovanni Vasta in 1947 and they immigrated to Australia in 1949 after their first child, Salvatore, was born.
“They came to Tully as her sister, Maria, and her husband, Giovanni Patane, lived there, along with her sister, Giuseppina, and husband Horice Cantarella, who lived in Innisfail.”
Santa and Giovanni made their home at Silky Oak near Tully, where the family expanded to include children Joe, Alfina and Sarina.
Santa’s life has been de- voted to her family and she was always thankful to the many who offered their kindness and transport, as neither she nor Giovanni drove a car.
“Many joyous moments were had over the years, especially when grandchildren visited or they hopped on the rail motor and visited family in Cairns,” Nancy says.
In the 1980s, Santa and Giovanni moved to Edmonton.
“With the loss of her soulmate Giovanni in 1993, Santa continued spending time in the garden and with family and later moved to Smithfield to live with her daughter, Sarina.
“Her last journey to Sicily was in 2006, when she spent a few weeks in Milo with her nie- ces and nephews. It was on this trip that she had the opportunity to visit the Vatican for the first time.
“Santa was lucky enough to receive a letter from The Queen four years ago when she turned 100.”
Her family has grown significantly over the years with all of her children marrying and she is now the proud Nonna of 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
For the past two years, Santa has called Mercy Place Westcourt her home and considers staff and management part of her family.
“Santa is a true matriarch to her family and an incredibly inspiring lady,” Nancy says.