June 3rd, 2024 was a cool and rainy day in Thunder Bay. Alba Arnone was resting peacefully surrounded by her children and grandchildren as we knew her time on earth was coming to an end. In the early evening, as if a sign from above, the skies cleared to show her the path, as she was called by her Lord and reunited for eternity with her beloved Adolfo.
Alba was born in Rovito, Cosenza, Italia on June 24, 1926. When Alba was a child, her family moved to Genova where there was work for her father to support the family, but when the war came she went back to Rovito where she fell in love with Adolfo Arnone. They were married on August 31, 1947, and returned to Genova where their first child Gino was born.
In search of a better life, Alba and Adolfo found the courage to leave their beloved homeland and travel to Canada not knowing the language but with the support of family started their life here in Thunder Bay.
Like so many of their compatriots, they immersed themselves in the Italian community in Thunder Bay. Alba was a longtime member of the Woman’s Auxiliary of the Italian Society. She was a woman of faith and took great pleasure singing with the choir at St. Anthony’s Church until her health prevented her from attending mass.
She worked alongside Adolfo as a more than equal partner, not only raising her children but working as a seamstress first with Bev Porters and then later with Peter Pan Dry Cleaners which Adolfo founded.
They had a second son, Robert. For Alba, her family was everything. She recognized the value of an education and the one thing she was most proud of was ensuring that her two sons went on to university and obtained professional designations. She delighted in cooking Sunday meals for the family
Alba is survived by her children Gino (Barb) and Robert (Becky), her grandchildren: Christopher(Jeannie), Kevin (Gail), Trevor, Adrian and Alexander; her great grandchildren: Cohen, Julian, Beth, Samantha (finally two girls in the Arnone family) and Edward as well as by numerous nephews, nieces and cousins both in Canada and in Italy.
She was predeceased by her husband Adolfo and her brothers Francesco and Trieste.
We would like to extend our thanks to the staff, doctors and nurses at Pioneer Ridge (Floor 1) for their care and compassion during Alba’s time there.
The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Anthony’s R.C. Church celebrated by Rev. Luigi Filippini.
Visitation will be held in the church on Friday from 9:30-10:45 a.m..
Those unable to attend the service in person may do so virtually at the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-nNWWoK2gA.
There will be a private internment and a further celebration of Alba’s life will take place following the mass at the Italian Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of your choice that serves the people of the City of Thunder Bay would be appreciated. Online condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
