Ida Farno

It is with heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Ida Farno (nee Miceli) age 92 years on Saturday, September 18, 2021 in Bethammi Nursing Home, with all her family and grandchildren by her side.

Ida was born in Paterno, Calabria, Cosenza, Italy on March 4, 1929 to Vincenzo and Teresa Miceli. While in Italy she met the love of her life Ottorino Farno and they were married April 29, 1955. In November 1959, seeking a better life for their growing family, Ida, Ottorino, and their infant son, Salvatore immigrated to Port Arthur, Ontario to be with her sister Marietta & Giuseppe Benincasa. They became members of St. Anthony's Roman Caltholic Church, which Ida attended until she was no longer able to walk. Ida enjoyed cooking, gardening, making tomato sauce and Italian sausages, and  pickling mushrooms and eggplant. She loved to bake homemade bread, which she did until the age of 80. Ida loved birthday parties, and she referred to them as “Happy Birthday to me”. Ida and Ottorino loved dancing the Tarantella at weddings and it was always a really beautiful performance to watch. One of her favorite hobbies was crocheting, of which we still have unique tablecloths and doilies. If you entered her home you never left hungry, there was always hot food in the oven even if  you already ate, you were having more. Her lasagna and homemade pizza was the best comfort food to enjoy. Her grandchildren always raved about Nana’s lasagna.  

Ida raised 5 children on her own while Ottorino worked out of town for long periods of time. After the kids were all in school, she started working at Stan’s Pizza and then Chai’s Restaurant. Soon she was called “Mama” by all who knew her and worked with her. She was a simple woman who loved family gatherings and  made sure everyone was taken care of. In her later years, she looked forward to raising her grandchildren while we were at work. Even though she developed dementia in her later years, she still remembered all of her children and  grandchildren’s names, never in the exact order, but she knew.  

Ida will be lovingly remembered by her children, Salvatore (Emma), Maria  (Gaetano) Miceli, Frank Farno, Julie (Keith) Stemkens, John Farno (Carolynn Almos);  grandchildren, Dianna Farno (Mark), Stephanie (James) Zambon; Pamela (Jim), Andersen, Brittany (Steven) Gammond, Jessica Miceli, Andrea (Matthew) Sandmaiers, Meghan and Quinton Stemkens, Courtney and Tavio Farno; great grandchildren, Rosslyn and Connor Zambon (and one on the way) and Madelyn Gammond. Also surviving are, brother, Salvatore (Immacolata) Miceli, brother in-law Luciano (Lina) Farno, Michael Carpino, Rita (Henry) Enns, sisters in-law Maria Miceli and Maria Farno as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives in Italy and Canada. 

Predeceased by her beloved husband of 58 years, Ottorino Farno (2014); parents, Vincenzo & Teresina Miceli; 2 brothers and 1 sister in infancy; brothers,  Francesco, Giovanni, Vittorio and Luigi Miceli and sisters, Maria Benincasa, Gilda  Gallo and Antonietta Carpino. 

Special thanks for the amazing and loving care provided to mom from the entire 3rd floor staff at Bethammi Nursing Home. Special thanks to Annekke, Stephanie, Tammy,  and Jodie for treating mom like your own Nonna.  

Funeral services for the late Mrs. Ida Farno will be held on Thursday, September 23, 2021 with family and friends gathering in St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church for the Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM celebrated by Father Luigi Filipini. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time. For those unable to attend the service, a video recording will be available on the Everest of Thunder Bay website beginning on Friday, September 24, 2021.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma.

COVID-19 Protective measures are still being applied in group settings. Capacity is limited, masks or face coverings are required and maintaining social distancing of 6 feet is mandatory for those attending the service.

If friends so desire donations to the Canadian Diabetes Association, Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay or Bethammi Nursing Home would be greatly appreciated.