GARBUIO, Cecilia
May 6, 1939 - September 18, 2017
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Cecilia Garbuio at the age of 78 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born in San Zenone degli Ezzelini, Treviso, Italy, to Annuziata and Isidore Gazzola. She met her husband, Umberto, in the spring of 1961 and after only three months of courtship they were married. They soon immigrated to Canada, where they first settled in Montreal, QC. There they lived for 8 years and raised their two daughters. Hearing the winters were milder on the west coast, the family moved to Burnaby, BC in 1969. Four months after their move the family grew again when their first born son arrived, followed by another son only 21 months later. Her young family kept her very busy and was always, above all, her first priority.
Cecilia is lovingly remembered by her husband Umberto of 56 years, her daughters Sonia (Doug), Vania (Jerry), and her sons Ronny and Denny; her pride and joy - her grandchildren - Alyssa, Sophia and Matthew. She cherished every moment with them. We are blessed to have such a wonderful family including her sisters Maria, Gina (Mario), and her brothers Giovanni (Berta) and Luigi (Gina). She was predeceased by her sister, Eleonora. She will be missed by a large extended family and many great friends in Canada, Italy and Switzerland.
Always thinking of others before herself, she left us with a legacy of knowing the importance of kindness and compassion. She was always there to listen, to share and to help in any way. She will be fondly remembered for her warm-hearted graciousness and generosity to all who visited her home. She was an amazing cook and a talented seamstress. She had a beautiful smile and an infectious laugh that will truly be missed. The great strength of her love, kindness and generosity for all will be felt forever in our hearts.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 28, 2017 at St. Helen's Parish, 3860 Triumph Street, Burnaby, BC, Celebrant Fr. Rosemond Sylvestre, C.S. Entombment to follow at Ocean View Burial Park, South Mausoleum in Burnaby. In lieu of flowers, donations to the North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Association (which was very close to her heart and enriched the life of her granddaughter Alyssa) (https://www.canadahelps.org/en//CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s83242) or to the BC Cancer Foundation (bccancerfoundation.com) to support pancreatic cancer research would be appreciated. The family would like to acknowledge with special thanks the staff at Burnaby Hospital, Palliative Care Unit 2D and St. Michael's Hospice in Burnaby (especially Lynn and Sam).

"Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear".

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