Mrs. Chiara Immacolata Foglia, age 88 years, passed away peacefully at Hogarth Riverview Manor on Saturday, December 2, 2023.
Chiara was born to Nicola and Maria Perna on September 3, 1935 in Tufino, Naples, Italy and immigrated to Canada in April 1958 and married Antonio Foglia on May 1, 1958. Together, they embarked on a new adventure in Thunder Bay, raising three children at their new home in Westfort. When her children were young, Chiara was a stay at home mom, tending to the needs of her children. Later, when her kids were older, Chiara worked at various jobs, including Dresswell and eventually retiring from McKellar Hospital in 1984.
Chiara was one of seven children and had many happy memories about her early life in Italy. It was there that she learned her love of gardening, cooking and sewing. An excellent cook, she was always happiest when her family was together enjoying a large meal that she had cooked. She also loved to sing, a skill she learned from her beloved father, Nicola. Her faith was very important to her and every Sunday, you would find her at St. Agnes in her usual spot. Mom always had the ability to make friends wherever she went. She would talk to anyone and even though language was sometimes a barrier, she would find something in common with them. And once she met you, you were a friend for life. Her other passion was her grandchildren. She would smile from ear to ear anytime any of them were around. She was fortunate enough to meet and get to know six of her great grandchildren.
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister, Chiara always put the welfare of her family first. She will be deeply missed by her children, Angelo Foglia, Filomena “Fil" Ingram (Hugh) of Thunder Bay and Nicola “Nick” Foglia from Toronto; grandchildren Anthony (Samantha), Jordan (Lindsay) and Cassandra Foglia and Lisa (Aleshia) from Edmonton and David Ingram (Meagan Ellis); great grandchildren Jacob, Andrew, Kaitlyn, Parker and Hudson Foglia and Nathaniel Ingram; siblings Antonio (Teresa) Perna, Bart (Jackie) Perna, Carolina (Antonio) Vacchiano; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Elena Galeotalanza, Guiseppina Sacino, Immacolata “Maxine” (Luigi) Castelli, Rose Isernia. Numerous nephews, nieces and cousins also survive.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 51 years, Antonio and infant son; brother Michele “Mike” (Maddalena) Perna; sisters Lucia (Domenic) Silvano and Veneranda (Felice) Cavezza; Sisters-in-law Loretta (Antonio) Miele; Angela (Nicola) Isernia; brothers-in-law Giuseppe Galeotalanza; Pasquale Sacino; and Salvatore “Sam” Isernia.
The family would like to thank the staff at Hogarth Riverview Manor, 4 South, Lilac for the excellent care and kindness that you showed mom.
Visitation for the late Mrs. Chiara Immacolata Foglia will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 8:30 am at St. Agnes Catholic Church (1019 Brown Street, Thunder Bay), followed by a Funeral Mass at 9:30 am celebrated by Father James Panikulam. A private entombment will follow in Our Lady of Charity Mausoleum at St. Andrew’s Catholic Cemetery.
If friends so desire, donations made in memory of Chiara to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre would be greatly appreciated.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James.
