Dorotea Morra

Dorotea Morra (nee Guerriero) passed away peacefully on Saturday March 2, 2024 at the age of 96. Predeceased by her beloved husband, Michele, Dorotea was blessed to live a long, full life filled with love.

Born December 1, 1927 in Monteleone di Puglia, Italy, she courageously left her life in Italy at the age of 26 to join Michele in Toronto. Over the years, through incredible amounts of sacrifice, hard work and strength, they built their new life together, learning a new language, creating a successful business and providing support and guidance to many family members and friends who followed them to Canada in hope of a better future. Their proudest accomplishment, however, was the beautiful family they nurtured. Dorotea was cherished by her children: Rocco, Rose (Jim), Joe (Christine) and Mike (Christine).

Dorotea’s purpose in life was her family - it meant everything to her. Her greatest joy was taking care of her grandchildren, positively shaping who they would become and forming deep, enduring bonds with them. Dorotea’s grandchildren, Cristina (Konrad), Vincent (Laura), Matthew, Micheal, Andrew, Thomas and Alex, adored her and are blessed to have many beautiful memories of the times spent with their Nonna.

In recent years, Dorotea was thrilled to meet and spend time with her great grandchildren, Waylon and Felicity, and nothing paralleled the way her face would light up when she was with them. They too adored their Bisnonna.

In addition to being a kind, gentle, generous and incredibly strong woman, Dorotea also had many talents. Her cooking was unmatched and Sunday dinners were a family ritual enjoyed by all. Her green thumb was at times hard to believe - being able to resurrect plants that everyone else thought had no hope. She loved tending to her vegetable and flower gardens and sharing the fruits of her labour with everyone. She would use the vegetables to create delicious meals from scratch. Making tomato sauce with the tomatoes from her garden became an annual tradition. Dorotea was a gifted seamstress who sewed for her family and friends. She could create works of art with a simple needle and thread.

Dorotea’s unwavering faith in God gave her courage, strength and hope throughout her life.

Mom, Nonna, Bisnonna - may you rest in eternal peace. We will miss you deeply. We know you are now re-united in heaven with your beloved husband, parents and brothers, looking down on us with a smile.

Ti vogliamo bene per sempre.

Family and friends may call at MARSHALL FUNERAL HOME, 10366 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, on Thursday, March 7th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, March 8th at St. Mary Immaculate at 10:30 a.m. Entombment Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.