Liisa (Sirkka-Liisa Laakko) Zanandrea

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Liisa (Sirkka-Liisa Laakko) Zanandrea on September 8th, 2021 at the Thunder Bay Health Sciences Centre in the ICU. Liisa was born on April 18th, 1947 in Seinajoki, Finland, as the only child to Impi and Leo Laakko. In 1957 they moved to Canada. After her father passed, Liisa and her mother moved in with the Leinonen family.

In 1968 Liisa met the love of her life Dino and they were married on August 29th, 1970 in Thunder Bay. Liisa worked as a dental hygienist for many years but left the profession for a more demanding job, to be a stay at home mom and wife.

Liisa and Dino enjoyed traveling to Finland, Italy, Mexico and many other destinations. Liisa made countless friends over the years and touched the hearts of many. Family was very important to Liisa and she loved all of them, even if they weren’t technically related. Liisa loved to go fishing, she would out fish Dino on many trips…even though she wouldn’t bait her own hook…or touch the fish…or help Dino, if he even had time to catch his own fish. Not only did Liisa love to fish in northwestern Ontario, she loved deep-sea fishing in Mexico where she often caught fish bigger than herself! She prided herself on taking care of her beautiful flowers in front of the house and vegetable gardens in the back. Liisa loved playing cards with Dino, they would spend countless hours just sitting at a table joking, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Liisa wasn’t a morning person, at all, but would do anything to attend her coffee club with the ladies from Curves every morning that she could. Liisa loved spending time with her grandchildren and spoiling them rotten; she was extremely proud of them.

Liisa is survived by her spouse of 51 years Dino Zanandrea, her children Steven (Anna), Tina Young, and Paul (Melissa), grandchildren Alexander and Amelia, and many in-laws, nieces and nephews. Liisa is predeceased by her son-in-law Jaymes Young.

Liisa will be missed by many friends and family around the world. We love you.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, September 13, 2021, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. with vigil prayers beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Sargent and Son Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony’s R.C. Church with Rev. Luigi Filippini officiating. Those wishing to attend the funeral mass are asked to register on Liisa’s page at www.sargentandson.com or call the funeral home 345-5351. Those wishing to attend the service virtually may do so via this link https://youtu.be/can9Bl4l1B8. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Anthony’s Church or to the TBRHSF. Online condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.