Passed away on October 26, 2018 at 88 years of age. Dear daughter of the late Mosé & Maria Prolongo. Dear wife of the late Erasmo “Rasmo”. Loving mother of Fabiana & husband Michael Marchand, Iuna & husband Walter Benzinger, and Marco Fabio “Marc”. Cherished ‘Nilla’ to her grandchildren Aubri (Jeff), Jon-Paul (Danica), Michael, Sophia and to her great-grandchildren Nilla, Genveviève and Graydon. Special grandmother to Mary Justine and Brendan. Nilla was born in her beloved town of San Pietro di Ragogna, Italy. She came to Windsor as a young wife and mother. Nilla never thought that her stay would be permanent, always believing she would return to San Pietro. Nilla was ahead of her time, she was an independent, strong-willed woman. She was never hesitant to speak her mind and loved to provoke a spirited debate with one-liners on anything, especially religion and politics. Family was the focus of her being and they meant everything to her. Nilla’s love was unconditional, steadfast and strong. She was relentless in her encouragement and she’d tell you what you needed to do in order to succeed, whether you wanted to hear it or not. Nilla sweetened her coffee and wine (!), but never her advice. Sunday pranzi were very special times. Tucked in tight around the kitchen table, we all enjoyed Rasmo and Nilla’s extraordinary cuisine. If only Michelin had stopped by just once! While you might have needed to be loud to get your point heard, it only added to the experience. Nilla’s generosity extended beyond her family and included her friend and coworkers. She loved her work. Until the age of 77, she took her day into various occupations, working harder than most and seeing it as an opportunity to be kind to someone. She was her family’s healer, the one everyone went to when they needed help. If you were looking for one word to sum up her character, that all should agree upon, it would be ‘dependable’. Ask her and it would be done. Coming home from a long trip you would smile knowing fresh bread and a pot of homemade minestrone were waiting for you. In her recent days, when feeling tired of it all, she would always make her way to the door to say goodbye, look at you and say, “I am the one to live forever?” Yes Nilla, forever in our hearts. Thank-you. Many thanks go out to Nilla’s trusted lifetime caregiver Dr. Patrick X. Smith and Amanda for their kind and patient care over so many years. Special thanks to the EMS team and Met and Ouellette Campuses for your compassionate care.
Memorial visitation Tuesday from 4pm until time of Prayer Service at 6pm at Families First 3260 Dougall Ave., South Windsor, 519-969-5841 with a dinner reception to follow. Share memories, photos or make a donation at www.FamiliesFirst.ca