elevated vD99f March 16, 1942 to September 8, 2021

elevated vD99f Luana Duranti (Lulu or Lou as she was often called in her younger years) passed away at Knollcrest Lodge Long Term Care Facility in Milverton, Ontario just before 1AM on Wednesday, September 8, 2021. She was 79 years old.

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elevated vD99f Mom grew up and lived most of her life in Toronto.  She married her first love Frank Duranti in 1962 (which predeceased her in 1992). She will be sorely missed by her daughters Sandra Duranti and Patricia Atagi and her “best bud” at Knollcrest, Debbie Elliott.

elevated vD99f Mom loved cooking – “cotolette di pollo” or “crostata” anyone? – and would take deep offense if you visited without her being able to feed you.

elevated vD99f The kitchen was always well stocked with tomoates, parmigiano, olive oil, and whatever fruits and vegetables were in season. And don’t forget about all the garlic, strong vinaigrettes and yes more garlic! Dad would often remark about how mom was trying to fend off vampires.

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elevated vD99f After dad died unexpectedly from cancer in 1992, mom lost some of the spring to her step but stayed busy continuing to work at her full time job at Innova and took up painting and embellishing plaster and wooden figurines.  By this time she had downsized to living in a condo, but her love of gardening persisted; filling her sun room and balcony from floor to ceiling with herbs, cacti and fragrant flowering tropicals.

elevated vD99f Although, in recent years mom had been suffering from crippling arthritis and increasingly other geriatric conditions, it was the COVID19 outbreak which began at Knollcrest on August 20, 2021 which ultimately pushed mom past the point of no return. Infection was the Delta variant – Mom was vaccinated (Pfizer) on Jan.16 & Feb.6, 2021 and being medically vulnerable was supposed to receive her 3rd vaccine which occurred at Knollcrest in late August 2021. We are heartbroken that mom was yet another victim of COVID19, however, we believe that the vaccines were at least somewhat effective since COVID’s impact on her lungs and O2 levels were not extremely severe (given her preexisting conditions) and had seemed to be resolving. Nonetheless, in the end, mom had been left so weakened from the infection that she didn’t have the strength to keep fighting. 

elevated vD99f A private viewing is being held on Monday, September 13, 2021 at Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home in Thornhill, Ontario with the entombment immediately following at Blessed Virgin Mausoleum, Crypt #2905 (Level E).

elevated vD99f In lieu of flowers or donations, the family asks that you do your part in the battle against COVID19:

• Please get vaccinated (if not for your own protection for the protection of those around you);
• If you are medically vulnerable, follow your doctor’s recommendation about the timing/urgency of receiving the 3rd dose of the vaccine;
• Regardless of your vaccination status PLEASE continue to be vigilant and wear masks whenever you’re in indoor public spaces or when you’re visiting with or in close proximity to those who are medically vulnerable;
• Please isolate and get tested at the first onset of symptoms even if you think “It’s just allergies”;
• Advocate for more consistent worldwide gathering & public reporting of all cases of COVID19 especially pertaining to “breakthrough” infections where patients were not hospitalized – it’s only through the thoughtful and detailed sharing of information that we can all better understand how this virus is mutating and how we might all better protect ourselves and our loved-ones.

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