Emilia Presta

In Loving Memory of Emilia Presta

November 12, 1931 – October 5, 2026

Emilia Presta (nee Vecchio) passed away peacefully on October 5, 2026, at the age of 94, surrounded by the love of her family. After 71 cherished years of marriage, Emilia is now reunited with her beloved husband, Luigi, whom she missed dearly. Emilia leaves behind a permanent legacy of love and endurance. She was our family’s quiet, unbreakable anchor and a pillar of faith, standing steady through every season of life. When Emilia lost her physical eyesight, a trial that might have darkened the world for many, it only seemed to sharpen her spiritual vision. She did not need eyes to pour absolute love onto everyone she touched; she walked by faith, guided by an internal light that was simply too bright to be put out.

Emilia lived by a profound piece of wisdom that she leaves behind for all of us to carry: “What God gives you, you cannot send back—you must embrace it.” Those words tell you everything you need to know about who she was. She never complained about the difficult trials she was dealt. Instead, she opened her arms wide—embracing the joy, the hardships, and the absolute will of God with total surrender and trust.

She was a deeply loving mother to Joe (Dorina), Mario (Enza), Josephine (Peter), and her youngest daughter, Maria.

She was a cherished grandmother to Luigi, Anthony, Sabrina, Joey, Melinda, Maria, Emily, Steven, and David. She was a proud great-grandmother to Samantha, Vanessa, Julian, Aliya, Anthony, Ava, Kyle, Kristina, Nicolas, Carley, Katrina, Arabella, Alyssa, Atticus, and Lucius Emilio. Emilia was also blessed to be a great-great-grandmother to Elizabeth. Emilia had an immense love for her family, and her presence will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her.

Mom, you spent 94 years opening your arms to everything God gave you. You embraced us, you embraced your trials, and you embraced God’s grace. Now, the fight is won. You don’t have to hold anything up anymore. Your physical eyes are open now, seeing the face of the Creator you trusted so fiercely. We saw your smile moments before you passed. We will embrace the pain of missing you, and we will embrace the massive legacy of love you have left in our hearts.

If desired, donations may be made in Emilia's memory to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind Foundation (CNIB Foundation).

Click here to donate to the CNIB Foundation

Family and friends will be received at the Ward Funeral Home (4671 Highway 7, Woodbridge) on Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026, at St. Peter's Parish (100 Bainbridge Avenue, Woodbridge). Entombment to follow at Westminster Cemetery.