MORRA, Immacolata (Luongo) - Passed away peacefully at Fieldstone Commons Care Community in Toronto, Ontario on June 1, 2020.
Beloved wife of the late Giuseppe Morra.
A loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Imma’s legacy will live on through them.
Imma’s century of life spanned several significant events in history. She was born in San Sossio di Baronia, Avellino, Italy on December 7, 1919 amidst the Spanish flu pandemic and the aftermath of World War I. She was the daughter of Sabino and Maria Luongo, and sister to 3 brothers, Celeste, Paolo, and Domenico, and 5 sisters Rosina, Michela, Maria, Antonietta, and Felicita.
Imma grew up on the family farm in Montemuro surrounded by nature. From humble beginnings, she lived through The Great Depression and World War II working as a nursemaid and housekeeper. It was here she began to develop her skilled hands to create traditional home meals that would become the focal point of numerous family gatherings for years to come.
Imma would meet the love of her life, Giuseppe Morra, at a small town festival. They would soon marry in 1952 and begin building a long life together on a small farmland in the town of Monteleone in Puglia, Foggia. They worked tirelessly, wasted nothing, and sacrificed everything to fulfill their dream of creating a new life in Canada with their children Pasquale, Luciano, Rosa, Annette, and Saveria. Immigrating to Toronto in 1957, Imma lived with her family in an East York house that she would call home for 55 years. She was a firm yet gentle matriarch who prepared feasts, knit homemade clothing, blankets, and slippers to keep her family warm, and set the best example for her children in all aspects of life - all while working an array of different jobs to support the family. Imma also displayed a deep love and respect for nature and her surroundings. She would often be seen gently conversing with her bay leaf plants while plucking its leaves, which to her brought a sense of balanced harmony between nature and cuisine. A lover of all animals, especially birds, Imma showed incredible empathy to an injured cardinal which she took in, nursed back to health, and released with mixed tears of joy and sorrow. She truly had a special connection to the Earth and all its creatures. Imma’s smile could light up a room, and her singing filled our souls with great joy. She would often delight others with songs and ballads from her days working the fields in Italy. Imma deeply valued social equity, sharing kindness and love to everyone, and would often remark that no matter where one is from or whom one loves, “we all bleed the same colour of blood”.
In the summer of 1984, Immacolata was baptised as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She became an active member of her congregation and found joy and comfort in the community. She enjoyed reading scriptures, volunteering, and building faith and friendships with fellow witness members.
Over the years, Imma’s family grew immensely, as she and Giuseppe were gifted with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren - a testament to the incredible sacrifices they made for their family. After the passing of Giuseppe in 2005, Imma left the home she knew in 2013 to live in what would be her final home at Fieldstone Commons Care Community. She passed peacefully with her daughter, “Rina”, by her side... mother and daughter together amidst the chaos of another worldwide pandemic... like the end of a timeless novel.
Imma and Giuseppe Morra left behind a legacy of love and family which includes children Pasquale Morra (Ida), Luciano Morra (Lorenzina), Rose Lisi (Joe), Annette Terzo (Sebastiano), Saveria Apostoli (Pasquale), and the late Rocco Morra. Her grandchildren Angie Schembri (Charlie), Giuseppe Morra (Rita), Rocco Morra (Claudia), Cora Morra, Angela Ciantar (Mario), Rocco Morra, Mary Di Pirro (Jack), Nick Lisi (Degen), and the late Carla Lisi, Margaret Terzo (Ed Barber), Anthony Apostoli (Diana), Matthew Apostoli (Lina), and Melissa Apostoli. Her great-grandchildren Joseph Schembri (Melisa), Pat Schembri, Patrizia Schembri, Jesse Morra (Otilia), Vanessa Morra, Anthony Ciantar, Michael Ciantar, Daniella Di Pirro, Jonathan Di Pirro, Joseph Lisi, Joshua Lisi, Juliette Lisi, Gabriella Tavazzani, Samantha Terzo-Barber, Kalen Morra, Tristan Morra, and Siena Apostoli. Her great-great-grandchildren Penelope Morra, Viana Morra, and the late Abigail Morra.
Imma will be missed by her sisters (in law), nieces, nephews, and friends in Italy, Argentina, and Canada.
We wish to thank the Fieldstone Commons Care Community, including the personal support workers, the nurses, and doctors who cared for Imma until her final days on Earth.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Canadian Alheimzer's Society or a cause of your choice which you feel reflects the life of Immacolata Morra.
Due to Covid-19 and the restrictions that are in place, the service will be private.
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