Obituary of Antonia Benacquista

BENACQUISTA, Antonia (Iannotta) – With her daughters by her side Antonia died peacefully at Bluewater Health, Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at the age of 93.   Beloved wife of the late Emidio “Ben” (2010).  Loving mother of Angela & her husband Carmine Bonifacio, Woodbridge and Domenica (Mamie) & her husband Loreto Gismondi, Sarnia. Cherished grandmother of Adriano Bonifacio (Nancy Carlucci), Woodbridge, Analisa (Michael) Nasso, Woodbridge, Marc Gismondi, Sarnia and Anna (Darryl) Kabat, Sarnia. Great-grandmother (big Nonna) to Nicholas and Victoria Bonifacio, Matthew and Adam Nasso, Ava Gismondi and Adam, Joseph and Taya Kabat. Dear sister of Mario ( late Donata) Iannotta, Vittorio (Vittoria) Iannotta and Vincenzo (Maria Grazia) Iannotta all of Italy.  Also surviving are many nieces & nephews in Sarnia and Italy Predeceased by her parents Raffaele & Loreta Iannotta.

Antonia at the age of 24 immigrated from Italy to Canada with 2 small children to join her husband in Sarnia, making it their home for over 67 years.  She worked at several jobs as a chambermaid and a custodian for the Lambton Public School Board, retiring in 1993.  Antonia loved to spend time in her gardens.  Antonia’s passion was her family.  She was always ready to cook at a moments notice, making all their favorite dishes.  Antonia loved to tell stories of her youth and the trying times during the war in Italy. She was proud of her heritage and made sure her family here knew all about her extended family there.  The family would like to express their gratitude to the nursing staff of the 5^th floor Palliative Care, Bluewater Health for their excellent and compassionate care of their mother. 

Visitation at the McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 431 N. Christina St., Sarnia, on Sunday, June 13, 2021 from 7-9 p.m.  Visitation is by sign up invitation only. To attend the visitation please follow this link to sign up https://signup.com/go/TonNjTn or call the funeral home at 519-344-3131.  Private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Jan  Burczyk at Queen of Peace Church.  Entombment Resurrection Mausoleum. Please note that due to current COVID restrictions masks/face coverings are mandatory and maximum visitors at one time and social distancing will be strictly enforced.   As an expression of sympathy, friends who wish may send memorial donations to the charity of your choice.  Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com