It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dearest wife, mother and Nonna, Ersilia Dattolo (De Mattia) of Vernon, British Columbia. Ersilia died peacefully in her sleep the morning of July 27, 2023.

Ersilia was born and raised in the beautiful, quiet village of San Michele di Serino, Italy. It was there that she met and ultimately married her true love and devoted husband Francesco Dattolo.  Seeking a better life, they decided to immigrate to Canada in 1961.  After settling in Trail, BC, and leaning on her Catholic faith, values and strong work ethic, they built a beautiful home and a family that she was immensely proud of.

Ersilia was at her happiest when surrounded by her family.  She loved to work in the garden, winning several civic awards in Trail for the beauty of their yard, and she transformed the fruits of her labour into the most amazing home-cooked meals, baking and canning.  Cooking was her passion.  Her hospitality was boundless, and anyone visiting the Dattolo home was always greeted with the most generous spread of food and delicious baking – often highlighted by the absolute best apple pie!

Later in life, Ersilia and her husband moved to Vernon, BC to be closer to family.  In her later years, she enjoyed regular family meals and gatherings. She loved and felt blessed to be able to regularly spend time with those she cared about most, especially her grandchildren.

Ersilia will always be in our hearts.  She will be eternally remembered by her loving husband and best friend, Francesco Dattolo, her children Gianna (Robin) Holmes, Lina (Sean) Worth, Marina (Steve) Brandner, and her grandchildren Brandon, Jared, Nathan, Curtis, Nicholas and Julia. Ersilia is mourned by her loving family in Italy where she has her brother Guiseppe (Maria) De Mattia, sister Anna Piemonte and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, all of whom were dear to her heart. In Canada, she leaves her brother-in-law Carmine Dattolo and extended family members Fred (Cathy) Dattolo, Carlo Dattolo, Gino Dattolo, Irene McEwen, Sandy Hagen and their families. She was predeceased by her parents, Filomena and Guiseppe De Mattia and her brother Michele De Mattia, all of whom she will be reunited with in heaven.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. James Catholic Church in Vernon, BC on Wednesday, August 9^th at 10:00 am with Father Peter Nguyen presiding.  A reception will be held at the church immediately following the service.  Entombment at the Lakeview Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Kelowna, BC will follow the reception.  Jessica Baycroft of the Pleasant Valley Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

As an expression of sympathy in Ersilia’s memory, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society by visiting www.cancer.ca.

You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family’s online register at www.pleasantvalleyfh.com.