With heavy hearts, we said goodbye to wife, mother, nonna, great grandmother, sister, zia, and friend, Giuseppina (Pina) Muia on November 12, 2025. Born in Siderno, Calabria, Italy in 1935, Pina was raised and educated by the Nuns at the Institute of Sisters of Divine Providence in Rome, after her mother’s passing. Her time in the convent is where her strong devotion to the Catholic faith began, which shaped the foundation of her values, instilled her spiritual outlook, and influenced the way she would approach every aspect of her life.

Upon her return to Siderno at 16 years old, Pina spent most of her time in the nearby town Locri where she was a caregiver to her Zia, but also reconnected with her siblings: Antonio, Vincenzo, Rosetta, Anna, Rita, and Maria. At 22 she met the love of her life, Luigi Muia, in Siderno and the two were married one month later. They began their new lives together in Toronto, ON, and were blessed with four sons: Paul, Carmelo, John, and Anthony, and their only daughter Maria Elizabeth, who passed away as an infant. Shortly after welcoming Anthony, Luigi fell ill and as a result, Pina became a strong, independent mother who was firm, patient, and nurturing. She balanced her job, helping her sons with their studies, keeping the household, and caring for her husband until 1989 when he passed away.

In the years to follow, Pina was further blessed with 11 grandchildren: Paul and Patricia’s sons Christian and Jonathan; Carmelo & Charlene’s sons, Justin & Stefan; John & Cerian’s daughters and sons, Catarina, Luigi, John, and Maria Elizabeth; and Anthony & Elizabeth’s sons, Anthony, Matthew, and Nicholas.

In recent years, she was able to meet and spend time with her great grandchildren: Christian & Steffi’s son, Archer; Justin & Tina’s sons, Nolan and Rhye; Anthony & Taylor’s son and daughter, Anthony Jr. and Lana; and Stefan & Jasmine’s son, Logan.

Family meant everything to Pina; she always wanted to be surrounded by us. Whether it was a visit from her sons on the weekends, big family get-togethers for birthdays or holidays, or simply keeping pictures of her loved ones on her walls, “This way, they’re always with me”. Most of Pina’s time was spent doing things for her family: cooking, baking, and sewing. Entering her home, we’d find it warm and scented with her most recently baked goods and home-cooked meals. On major holidays, she would bake traditional Italian goods and send them out to each of our families, ensuring the Italian culture was never lost. She sewed, knitted, and crocheted blankets, sweaters, jackets, mitts, and scarves for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

For her loved ones who were farther away, Pina travelled, making multiple trips to Italy, Thunder Bay, New Jersey & New York, and California to visit her son and his family, her sisters and their families, and her in-laws. Her love for travel didn’t stop there—her faith also being at the center of her life, she journeyed on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Fatima, and Međugorje.

Her independence and absolute love for family and her passions allowed Pina to live her life to the fullest. She wore her heart on her sleeve; when she was happy, we saw it in her smiling eyes and heard it in her laugh, which was infectious. While we mourn her passing after battling dementia, she will never be forgotten and many of her traits live on in us. Whether it’s through the food and baked goods we continue to make, the plants we grow and nourish with the green thumb she passed on, the faith we carry in our hearts, or the laughter we share when we’re brought together, she will be present.

She will be so deeply missed by her surviving family including sons, daughters-in-laws, grand and great grandchildren, sisters, brothers-in-laws, nieces and nephews in Canada, the USA, and Italy, and all who had the opportunity to know her.

We pray that Pina now rests in peace with her husband, Luigi; daughter, Maria Elizabeth; father, Carmelo; mother, Maria; brothers, Antonio and Vincenzo; and sisters, Rosetta and Anna.