Obituary of Nancy Annette Salvalaggio

It is with absolute profound sadness that we announce that on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, in the arms of her husband and beside her son and friends that Nancy had arrived at her *station.

Loving and caring wife of Lou Salvalaggio Jr. for 47 years. Beloved and devoted mother of Sheldon (Julie) and Craig (Jen). Grammy of Sheldon Jr, Jacob, Mila, and Allie - her precious grandchildren. Daughter of the late Eileen and Rene Aubin. Daughter-in-law of the late Mary and the late Lou Salvalaggio Sr. Caring sister of Rick (Joanne), David, Debbi and the late Buddy Aubin. Sister-in-law of Pat Salvalaggio (Lora). Special aunt of Julian, Lucas, Andrew, Jeremy, Pam Michael, Patrick Laurie Ann and great aunt of Dominic and Nicolas. Lifetime friend of Janice Filice, Debbi Greystone and Liesel Cook who stood by her side day and night all through their lives and especially all through the years after her life saving transplant.

Nancy left the world a much better place than when she entered it, after Nursing school graduation in 1974 Nancy worked at the Plumber Hospital surgical floor for 14 years, then off to the VON for another 10 and finally a palliative nurse case manager at CCAC – all totaling 37 years of service. During many times in our community, she saw former patients that were delighted to see her and thankful for the care she provided. Although some at SAH have failed one of their own, we are so very thankful to the genuine compassion and support at ARCH, what an incredible experience it was, they are truly angels.

Special thank you to Dr. Leanne Singer, Dr. Mathew Binnie and Susan Chernenko of the UHN transplant team and to the wonderful talented hands of Dr. Shaf Keshavjee who performed her surgery on the morning and afternoon of January 7, 2013 and to Dr. Difabio, Dr. Laundry Dr Booth of SAH ICU and Dr. Vance, Dr. Berg and Dr. Taylor.

Nancy was the recipient of a double lung and liver transplant in January 2013 at UHN and at that time only 1 of 3 multi organ transplants with Hepatopulmonary syndrome a rare illness currently studied by St. Michaels Hospital and the University of Texas where her diseased organs were sent to help further scientific studies. The only treatment is through transplant. We owe Dr. Samir Gupta of St. Michaels hospital endless gratitude for his diagnosis and care through the years, Nancy was one of his prize patients.

Although most cherished every single one of her 3544 days after her double lung and liver transplant, more life lessons needed to be learned and Nancy accepted them with grace, courage and dignity. Nancy has fully paid a debt that she never owed.

Over the past years several hundred perhaps thousand of phone calls, texts, e-mails, visits etc, started with “How is Nancy doing?” and for all of you we cannot thank you enough for asking. Thank you to Anthony x2, Aldo, Amber, Beth, Bob and Carol, Chris, Dale, Deborah, Connie and Don, Doug and Dar, Gavin, Glen, Glenda and Owen, Gus, Jimmy, June x2, Bonnie and Ken, Len, Liesel, and Robert, Larry, Louie, Matt and Anna, Maylee, Mike ,Mel, Paula and G, Roxie, Vic and PK, Sam x2, Stevie, Sherri and  Gary, Stella Tina, Tim, Ugo, Vera  and so many more.

Friends and family are invited to visit at Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Rd, 705-945-7758) on Monday, September 26, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. until time of the Funeral Service in the Chapel at 1:00 p.m.  Memorial donations to ARCH or the charity of your choice is appreciated. Nancys wish was for you to register to be an organ donor at beadonor.ca and to take a moment to read one of our favourite poems.

*The Station - by Robert Hastings

Tucked away in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision. We see ourselves on a long, long trip that almost spans the continent. We're traveling by passenger train, and out the windows we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at a crossing, of cattle grazing on a distant hillside, of smoke pouring from a power plant, of row upon row of corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of mountains and rolling hills, of biting winter and blazing summer and cavorting spring and docile fall. 

But uppermost in our minds is the final destination. On a certain day at a certain hour we will pull into the station. There will be bands playing, and flags waving. And once we get there so many wonderful dreams will come true. So many wishes will be fulfilled and so many pieces of our lives finally will be neatly fitted together like a completed jigsaw puzzle. How restlessly we pace the aisles, damning the minutes for loitering ... waiting, waiting, waiting, for the station. 

However, sooner or later we must realize there is no one station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip. The station is only a dream. It constantly outdistances us. 

"When we reach the station, that will be it !" we cry. Translated it means, "When I'm 18, that will be it ! When I buy a new 450 SL Mercedes Benz, that will be it ! When I put the last kid through college, that will be it ! When I have paid off the mortgage, that will be it ! When I win a promotion, that will be it ! When I reach the age of retirement, that will be it ! I shall live happily ever after !" 

Unfortunately, once we get it, then it disappears. The station somehow hides itself at the end of an endless track. 

"Relish the moment" is a good motto, especially when coupled with Psalm 118:24: "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." It isn't the burdens of today that drive men mad. Rather, it is regret over yesterday or fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who would rob us of today. 

So, stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, climb more mountains, eat more ice cream, go barefoot oftener, swim more rivers, watch more sunsets, laugh more and cry less. Life must be lived as we go along. The station will come soon enough. 

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Robert J. Hastings Estate