Beloved mother, wife, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, nonni and friend. Alice was born in
Timmins to Italian immigrants Elisa and Attilio Giovanelli. She learned to play the piano
at a young age, singing and playing for friends and neighbours, sometimes joined by
her dad on the mandoline and her cousin Archea on guitar. She graduated from the
University of Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music with an honours in solo piano
performance and went on to be a respected local piano teacher for 50 years. She had
a number of students complete their Associateship of the Royal Conservatory of
Toronto and go on to have careers in music. For 20 years she was an organist at
Sacred Heart Church and for many years was an accompanist for the Canadian Italian
choir and played for local and visiting performers. A former president of the local
branch of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers for a time she acted as the
Northeastern Ontario representative of its Provincial Council. She was a member of
the Dante Club for over 60 years. Alice married Luigi, the love of her life, and they
enjoyed over 40 years of marriage before he passed away. Together they raised two
children Tina and Louis (Roberta). Alice was a devoted and loving wife and mother,
mother-in-law and grandmother who always put her family first. She was a constant
source of love, encouragement and support to all of them and never missed an
opportunity to let them know how proud she was of them and how much she loved
them. Her love was unconditional. Even when they tried her patience, on the few
occasions when she lost her temper, she never stayed angry for long and was quick to
forgive. Her two grand daughters Natalie (Banka) and Elisa (Torlone) were her special
pride and joy. She was a cherished sister-in-law to Mario Torlone and Ken Hart and
will be missed by many dear cousins. Friends will remember her as a quietly
supportive and loyal friend - a trusted confidant who was always there for them. Alice
was a first rate maker of Tiramisu, the traditional ending to special occasion meals at
the Torlone house and a closely guarded recipe. Over the last few years, Alice missed
the company of many dear old friends who had passed on and it became difficult for
her to stay in touch with others as her sight and hearing failed and her health declined.
At the same time, her personality, attitude and sense of humour made new friends of
the people who came into her life to give care and support in various ways. She was
so grateful to everyone who helped her. She was a small, sweet but mighty lady who
was loved by many. We will miss her.
Thanks to Darcelle Rivard and all her care givers and health professionals and the
nursing and cleaning staff at TDH who did their best to help and support her. Special
thanks to her new friend Debbie.
A celebration of Alice’s life will be held at St Anthony’s Cathedral on Monday morning,
May 7th at 11am.
Visitation on Sunday, May 6th from 2 to 4pm and from 7 to 9pm at Lessard-Stephens
Funeral Home.