Leona peacefully passed away at Garden City Manor, St. Catharines, Ontario on Saturday, December 12, 2020. Dearly loved and cherished by her devoted husband Umberto (Bert) Iafrate for the last 55 years. Loving mother to Paula (Bruce), and Brian (Lisa). Doting grandmother to Laura (Cody), Jasper, Bradley, Austin, Samantha, Brooke, and Hope who loved their nonna and miss her very much. Predeceased by her parents Ferdinando and Laura Scappaticci, whom she cherished. Leona will be greatly missed by her brothers Sisto (Libby) and Tony (Maria), and her brothers and sisters in-law Pasquale, decd. (Santina), Rosa, decd. (Augusto decd.), Otavio (Lina), Costantino, decd. (Filomena), Anna (Armando) and Mario (Gina). Zia Nilda to her many nieces and nephews and their spouses who remember her fondly. Leona was born April 11, 1947 in Santo Padre, Italy. She arrived in Canada as a little girl at the age of 10 with her family, and they laid their roots in the Niagara region, where Leona lived for the rest of her life as a part of the Italian-Canadian community. Leona was a professional hair stylist for many years at her own salon and worked alongside her husband and daughter as a seamstress at their custom drapery and window covering business for over thirty years. Leona was a talented cook, baker, and homemaker, and she never let anyone leave her home until they were adequately fed. Leona loved, above all, to entertain, joke, laugh and dance, especially with her husband, Bert. Bert and Leona were life-long sweethearts; they worked hard, travelled to many sunny destinations together and enjoyed life to the fullest, always at each other's side. Leona will be remembered by her many friends and family members for her vibrant personality, excellent ability to entertain and her unwavering loyalty to those she loved. Relatives and friends will be received by appointment at BOCCHINFUSO FUNERAL HOME 2 Regent Street, Thorold on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 from 2 – 4 and 7- 9 PM. Please call 905-227-0161 to make your appointment. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY CHURCH 21 Queen Street South, Thorold on Thursday, December 17, 2020 by invitation. Private Rite of Committal. Per the Province of Ontario COVID regulations - visitation attendance is limited to 30% building capacity during appointments. Attendance will be monitored to maintain capacity and physical distancing for the health and safety of our staff and guests. All guests attending the visitation must bring and wear a mask. Special heart-felt thanks to the nurses and staff at Garden City Manor for their excellent, dedicated, and compassionate care, especially during these trying times. Memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society, St. Catharines Chapter, would be appreciated and may be made at the BOCCHINFUSO FUNERAL HOME, 2 Regent St., Thorold.
