It is with great sadness, but with hearts full of love and gratitude, that we announce the passing of Cesira Eugenia Gasparin on August 12, 2026. She was a beloved wife, mother, nonna, great-grandmother, sister, neighbour, and friend.
Cesira was born on February 1, 1932, in San Martino di Lupari, Italy, to Francesco and Giuditta (Rosina) Zorzi. The second of eight children, she will be lovingly remembered by her siblings Tersillia, Jole, Eugenio, and Mariangela, and was predeceased by Antonietta, Mirella, and Davide.
After a short courtship that brought them to Switzerland for work, Cesira married Nunzio Gasparin in San Martino di Lupari in 1956. Together, with their first born daughter, they immigrated to Canada in 1957 and made their home in Kamloops. Here they raised their family and shared more than 60 years of life together, filled with hard work, laughter, friendship, and love.
Cesira lived on the same block for most of those years, forming lasting friendships with many of her neighbours and becoming an important thread in the fabric of the community. With many of her neighbours opting to call her ‘nonna’ as well. In her latter years, she especially loved seeing neighbours and children walking by and exchanging friendly waves.
Cesira cherished her children, Edvige (Bert), Antonia (Norm), Rosanna (Brett), and Roberto; her grandchildren, Angela (Nathan), Michael (Trista), Lea, Alexander (Carly), Twyla, Catlin, and Rebecca (Eamonn); and her great-grandchildren, Mikayla, Kaytlyn, Ryley, Charlie, and Everleigh. She expressed her love for her family in countless ways every day. There was always something from the garden, something cooking, and something to share—a story, a coffee, a laugh, a tear, a kiss, or a hug. Her kitchen and table were places where family and friends gathered and where many treasured memories were made. Cesira was tender and sentimental, had a wonderful sense of humour, a generous heart, and a genuine enjoyment of life.
She had a wonderful memory and could recall names, birthdates, anniversaries, and branches of multiple family trees. She also had a deep affection for the Italian community in Kamloops. She cherished the friendships, traditions, music, food, and celebrations that connected her to others who shared her heritage and faith. She especially enjoyed music and dancing at the Colombo Lodge.
Cesira lived a life rich in family, friendship, laughter, hard work, and love. She gave generously, loved deeply, and will be remembered always by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to physicians, Drs. Sukhorokov and Ortner, and the nurses who provided compassionate care on 5 South and in hospice.
The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 21st in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, 255 Nicola St. Father Brendan Mgbenwelu, Celebrant. Cesira will be laid to rest at the Pleasant Street cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Cesira’s memory to the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation, The Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home, BC Emergency Health Services Foundation, or the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Condolences may be sent to the family at
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
