Obituary of Giuseppina Minelli

There are no words that can truly express the depth of our loss as we share the unexpected passing of our beloved Mamma and Nonna, Giuseppina, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at the age of 89.

Her daughter, Agostina (Stephen Patterson) and her granddaughters, Genna (Ehi Eremosele) and Alissa (Chris Pierce), are heartbroken. She was everything to us—our greatest supporter, our safe place, and the heart and soul of our family.

While our hearts ache, we find comfort in knowing she is now in Heaven, reunited with her beloved husband, Giulio. We picture her smiling down on us, her love forever guiding and surrounding us. She will live on in our hearts and in the lives of all who knew and loved her.

Pina, as she was commonly known, was the loving daughter of the late Ersilia and the late Adolfo Gargamelli and sister of the late Dino (Ada) of Mombaroccio, Pesaro, Italy. She moved from Italy to Canada in search of a better life. Though they did not have much in the way of money, her father insisted on paying for an updated cruise fare to Canada, a parting gift to her so she could enjoy herself before settling into her new life. The Fievoli cousins in Sudbury would be the first to host her before making her way to other beloved cousins, the late Venerina and Elso Salucci in Sault Ste Marie. It is here where she found a job, met her beloved husband Giulio, and graced her daughter and grand daughters with all her gifts of cooking, gardening, storytelling and unbelievable poetry reciting! 

Anyone who met or knew Pina knew she had dedicated her life to preparing amazing Italian meals—not only for her friends and family, but also as a career. She worked as a short-order cook, first in Pesaro, Italy, and then for over 30 years at the cherished family business, Minelli’s Restaurant. Those who worked with her never forgot her. She was deeply devoted to her Minelli family and is surely “having a shot” in heaven with her brothers- and sisters-in-law: Desiderio; Marcello and Rina; Dario and Rosanna; Rina Cenciarini and Renato; Lorenzo; Gabriele; and her most beloved nephews, Siro and Mario and his wife Stefania. She is survived by her dear sister-in-law Rosa Minelli, as well as the many nieces and nephews she cherished: Julie, Tanya, Marco (Monique and little Remi), Sandro and Adeline, Krista (Daniel and baby Florence), Justin (Jaimee, Tess, and little Ty), Ido (Bruna, Paolo, and Silvia), Giuliano (Cecilia, Caterina) Andrea, Lisa (Mirco), and Agostino. Always very close to her heart were her Gargamelli and Baiocchi families back in Italy.

Friends are the family we choose, and the Attoni families were a truly special and treasured part of her life. Whether gathering for tomato canning, making cappelletti or salami, or sharing endless conversations about favourite Italian TV shows and cherished memories, they were a true blessing to her. She held dear Santa (the late Fernando), Dionisia and Paul Marson, Vittoria and Rob Pileggi, Iliana and Domenic, Rita, and their families.

Though we are deeply saddened by her loss, we are reminded to celebrate her strength, courage, and her desire to live life to the fullest, on her own terms. She will remain in our hearts forever.

“Il Signore ti ha chiamato, ora sei unita agli angeli, veglia su di noi.”

We would like to thank the emergency room team and the staff on 3B who made Pina’s last days peaceful and calm. Your attention to her care and our well being will always be remembered. 

Friends and family are invited to visit at Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Rd, 705-945-7758) on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Funeral Mass will be held at Precious Blood Cathedral at 12:00 p.m. with Father Jeff Shannon officiating. Entombment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Sault Ste Marie Humane Society in honour of her beloved grand puppy Seamus, Sault Area Hospital Foundation, or a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.