Obituary of Clara Ballerini
In the early morning hours of Tuesday, October 13, 2020, our caring and soft-spoken mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Clara Ballerini, passed away at the age of 85.
Born on March 22, 1935, in Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy to Pietrino “Piero” and Elena Dore, Clara and her seven siblings lived in a happy household filled with lots of love, laughter and dancing. In 1955 she married the love of her life, Carmen “Nino” Ballerini, a handsome member of the Italian Airforce. Three years later, with their two young sons, they immigrated to Canada. Nino and Clara settled in a tightknit Italian community in Cranbrook, British Columbia and welcomed their third son. In 1977 they made their final move to Calgary, Alberta where their sons married and raised families of their own, this year welcoming Clara’s first great granddaughter, Scarlett.
During their almost 50 years of marriage, Nino and Clara loved to travel, and made countless memories with family and friends during their adventures. When Nino passed away in 2005, Clara’s family held her even closer and continued to create lasting memories with her. Known for her quiet and gentle demeanour, and infamous Italian cooking, Clara was loved and cherished by everyone who knew her.
Clara is survived by her children, Oliviero, George (Laura), Frank (Denise), her grandchildren, Anthony, Morgan, Cheryl (Josh), Kimberly, Riana (Lucas), Aaron (Shea), Spencer, Paige, her great granddaughter, Scarlett, her siblings, Ninni (Nella), Roberto, Ada (Vito), and Miriam, and her nieces, nephews and extended family, Anna (Rick), Tina (William), Michael, Robert, Maxine, Karen, Colton (Johannah), Raffalele, Veruska, Patrizia, Katiuscia, Loredana, Oscar, Floriana, Alessandro, Sara and Donatella.
Clara is predeceased by her loving husband Nino, her parents, Piero and Elena, her siblings, Adriana, Paola and Andrea “Enio”, her in-laws, Oliviero and Amalia, and her sister-in-law, Maria and husband Guglielmo.
A private ceremony will be held to celebrate Clara’s life.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly a charity of their choice in Clara’s name.