PRELLA, Cacilia Prella

Born in Austria on January 20th, 1933, Cacilia (Oma) met her husband Josef (Joe/Opa) in Canada in 1960. Together they worked hard to build a life filled with love and proudly raised their beloved daughter Suzanne (Sue). Being very family focused, she followed her daughter to Brooklin to help and share in the lives of her grandsons. Oma was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother with family always being the center of her life. In her younger years Oma would enjoy going dancing, sharing meals or playing cards with friends. She enjoyed gardening and was an avid sewer. She took pride in tending to the home. Everything was always homemade. She was known for her baking, especially birthday cakes and chocolate chip cookies. She enjoyed playing cards especially canasta with Lisa (loved as family) and the other family members. Family dinners were always a focus and usually shared daily at 6:00 pm. Her grandsons were her pride and joy and she was always interested and wanting to participate or share in all aspects of their lives.

Oma passed away peacefully at Markham Stouffville Hospital after a brief illness with family by her side on Thursday July 16th, 2026 at the age of 93. Cacilia Prella was a strong willed woman who always knew her own mind and retained her mental sharpness to the end.
Loving wife of Josef. Much loved mother of Sue O’Donnell and her husband Rick of Brooklin and cherished Oma of Curtis and his partner Nicole and Kyle and his partner Meghan.
Predeceased by her brothers and sisters.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her family, friends and all who knew her.
Visitation at Barnes Memorial Funeral Home, 5295 Thickson Rd N. Whitby on Wednesday July 22nd from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. and then on Thursday July 23rd from 12:00 Noon until 1:30 pm.
Funeral Mass will follow at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 130 Watford Street Brooklin on Thursday afternoon (July 23rd) at 2:00 pm
In memory of Cacilia, memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Society or Bladder Cancer Canada would be appreciated. (links at bottom of page)
Messages of condolence and shared memories can be left for the family by visiting barnesmemorialfuneralhome.com

Visitation