SOLLAZZO, Louise Marie (Rose)
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother Louise Marie (Rose) Sollazzo on Thursday, November 23, 2017. Louise passed away peacefully at The Cove Guest Home, Sydney, NS two days following her 98th birthday. Born in Westmount, NS on November 21, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Emanuelle and Clara (LaPaix) LeDue.
She was predeceased by her husband, Dominic Sollazzo; sons, Frank and Tony, and daughters, Lucy Emanuele and Anna Sollazzo; brothers, Charlie and Tommy LeDue; son-in-law, Benny DeLorenzo; great grandson, Gregory Emanuele, and her special niece, Victoria Hutchings.
In 1934 she married the love of her life, Dominic. They had five children and celebrated 67 years together. Affectionately known as Nanny to her family, she was a very giving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, neighbour and friend. She was a strong, amazing woman with a kind and gentle soul and a heart of gold. Her passion for life and wonderful sense of humour were infectious. She had a strong faith in God and was a member of the Italian church and the Italian Cultural Association. She loved spending time with her family and hosted many family gatherings in her home, spending hours preparing gourmet meals including her famous spaghetti and meatballs -- truly a family favourite. She was also known for her delicious fish cakes which she happily distributed throughout the neighbourhood on a regular basis. She loved to travel “destination anywhere”. She would often say “let’s go for a little drive today” which meant you could end up in East Bay, Ben Eoin, Big Pond or Cheticamp visiting family and friends. She took every opportunity to visit her daughter Lucy in the USA and she would also visit with her relatives in St. Pierre et Miquelon where she enjoyed singing and speaking French, her first language. She loved children and in her later years she babysat for the Bennett and Hollohan families. She also loved to socialize with her friends over a good cup of tea. Yes according to Nanny tea went with everything on every occasion. In her younger years, she was an avid swimmer and never missed an opportunity to tell us of the time that she swam across Sydney Harbour. She loved her pets, including her budgie birds and her dogs, and some may remember her daily walks on Dixon Avenue with her pups, Sandy, Princess and Muffy. She was a grandmother extraordinaire to her grandchildren, great grandchildren and greatgreat grandchildren. Sleep-overs at Nanny’s are some of our best childhood memories. She gave us all so much love, hugs and kisses enough to last a lifetime. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her and will remain in our hearts forever.
She is survived by her daughter, Rose DeLorenzo; daughter-in-law, Dolly Sollazzo; son-in-law, Andrew Emanuele; grandchildren, Dominic (Fatima), Andy (Brenda) and Frank (Sue) Emanuele; Silvana (Kevin), Toni (John), Dina (Martin), Benita, Benito (Gail) and Marco (Shelly) DeLorenzo; and Gina, Robina (Larry), Louann and Kenneth (Andrea) Sollazzo; 30 great grandchildren; 11 greatgreat grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews of the LeDue, Hutchings and Sollazzo families.
A special thank you to nieces Sharon, Beverly and Darlene for their love and support throughout the years.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimers Society, the SPCA or charity of your choice.
Cremation has taken place. There will be a visitation on Wednesday, November 29 at Sydney Memorial Chapel from 6-8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, November 30 at 10 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Church in Whitney Pier, Rev. Paul Murphy officiating. Internment at a later date.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www. sydneymemorialchapel.ca or email sydneymemorialchapel@ ns.sympatico.ca.