ANNIBALE, Julie Annibale

Passed away peacefully with her four daughters and grandchildren by her side.

Julie was born on February 27, 1946, in the mountain village of Pietracamela (TE), Abruzzo, Italy. Nestled at the foot of the Gran Sasso massif, it was the place of her childhood and a place she carried in her heart throughout her life. As a young girl, she explored the mountains, rode horses, skied and searched for her favourite flower, la stella alpina, the alpine star.

In 1959, at just 13 years old, Julie immigrated to Canada with her mother, Maria, and her sisters, Lelia and Franca. They departed Naples aboard the Queen Frederica and arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax, where Julie was reunited with her father, Francesco, and her brothers, Ardino and Mario. The family settled in Toronto, beginning a new life on Kings Park Boulevard.

Julie built a beautiful life in Canada. A talented hairstylist, entrepreneur, jewellery maker, gardener and artist, she was a woman of immense creativity and determination. But above all, Julie was devoted to her family.

She was the undeniable matriarch of a family that revolved around her, her home and her kitchen. Her house was the gathering place for every holiday and countless ordinary days, always filled with family, friends, laughter and food. She was a gifted cook who believed there was always room for one more at the table, and she had a remarkable ability to make everyone who entered her home feel that they belonged.

Julie loved her daughters and grandchildren fiercely and was a constant presence in their lives. She was strong, protective, generous and, in true Julie fashion, never afraid to tell you exactly what she thought. Her sharp wit and dry sense of humour were as much a part of her as her strength and her enormous heart.

Julie is now reunited with her husband, Gaetano, and her cherished granddaughter, Angela.

She is lovingly remembered by her daughters Tania (Giustino), Tessa (Alim), Sasha (Dinis) and Simona (Paul); her grandsons Nickolas (Cassidy), Luca, Alessio and Mateo; her brother Mario (Giovanna); her sister Franca (Rizziero); and her nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Francesco and Maria, her brother Ardino and her sister Lelia.

Julie leaves behind a family forever shaped by her love, her strength and the home she made for all of them.

And perhaps, somewhere beyond this life, she has found her way home again, walking the trails of the Gran Sasso with Gaetano and Angela, picking la stella alpina among the mountains she loved as a little girl.

Visitation
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
De Stefano Funeral Home
1289 Keith Ross Drive
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
905-440-3595

Funeral Service
12:00 pm
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
De Stefano Funeral Home Chapel
1289 Keith Ross Drive
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
905-440-3595

Entombment
1:30 pm
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Resurrection Catholic Cemetery
355 Taunton Road
Whitby, ON , Ontario, Canada