Passed away at Hospice Niagara, age 68, on Friday, April 17, 2020 - If you are reading this, then you know that I have departed this Earth to join my family and friends who have left before me. Do not shed tears for me as I will be in the loving arms of the Lord and in a place where I will now enjoy eternal peace. I leave behind my beloved Jim who has been my dearest friend, soul mate and loving caretaker over the past 48 years. I also leave behind my cherished only child, Alicia (Merry) whose memory will be alive in me for eternity. I was blessed to have known my son-in-law Bill Merry for the past 12 years and know him to be a truly wonderful man, husband and father. I leave knowing my daughter and grandkids are in his loving hands. To my greatest delight, I was blessed with two adorable grandkids, Camrynn Marie and Dylan James. Although they were only in my loving embrace a few short years I truly cherished every minute with them. I will miss them dearly but know they will flourish in the loving arms of their parents, Papa and adoring grandparents Wanda Merry and Bob Biedrava. I also know the entire Merry extended family will be watching over them for years to come. I will forever miss my darling sister Angela (Luciani), my dearest friend, cheerleader and guardian 'Angel' on this Earth. I will miss our daily chats and I will always hold dear, the unconditional love she smothered me with. I would not have endured my journey with cancer without her by my side! She will live in my heart forever along with my brother-in-law Paul Luciani. Cherished and devoted daughter of the late Elvino Tagliabracci and the late Pauline (nee Sorrentino). I leave behind my late brother Vince Tagliabracci (Susan), my younger brother Anthony (Tony) Tagliabracci (Dolores) and my sister Angela Luciani (Paul). Daughter-in-law of the late Jim Arcangeletti and late Gloria (nee Cavicchiolo). Sister-in-law of Anne Lafleur (Bruce), Ricky Arcangeletti, Debbie Fabbro (Mike), the late Gregory Arcangeletti, Cindy Collver (Peter) and the late Marty Arcangeletti. I am sad to say goodbye to all of my nieces and nephews who I love dearly. I wish them and their families good health, happiness and prosperity the rest of their lives. To all my good friends, I will miss you so much but will always hold dear the memories of our times together. I was blessed with many good friends who I came to consider my 'earthly angels'. They were always by my side regardless of where I lived or what I was involved in. This was never more apparent to me (and Jim) than during my 'fight' with cancer! I truly appreciated your kindness, your support and your encouragement over the past 18 months. It gave me hope every step of the way! I lived a good life and have no regrets. I travelled extensively to places I had always longed to see like Greece, Eastern Europe, Great Britain, California and so much more. Jim and I loved to travel and we were blessed to have the opportunity to do so. We even made it to China (yes, Wuhan included). We were so glad we did! Along the way, we have made many good friends who have enriched our lives in so many ways. I will dearly miss our travel mates and the times we would reminisce about our experiences together. Without any doubt, I thoroughly enjoyed my teaching career (36 years) as a Grade 8 elementary school teacher with the Algoma District School Board in Sault Ste. Marie. There was no greater joy than to see students year after year blossom in their learning and personal development, especially those who had doubts that they could achieve anything more. Although Grade 8 was not the grade for most, it is where I was always meant to be. It was most gratifying for me! Over the years, I learned so much from my students! As luck would have it, my extra curricular school activities were primarily focused on the arts (although I also enjoyed coaching many of the senior sport teams). For many years, I was fortunate to direct quite a few school productions for the enjoyment of students, parents and later, the larger school community. To witness an entire school become energized behind these productions was gratifying to say the least. To watch so many students 'find themselves' on stage was simply the 'icing on the cake'! It was all pure fun for me! In 1993, I was asked by the Musical Comedy Guild to direct Anne Of Green Gables my first attempt on the community musical theatre scene. Despite a severe case of nerves, I put everything I could muster into it, as I usually did in all things that I took on. Behold, it was a success and this led me on whirlwind journey over 12 years, at which time I directed several major musicals/plays (and a few other events) for my community . I was always humbled by the response from the community. I felt so indebted to the literally thousands of individuals I had the privilege of working with on stage, behind the scenes and from all parts of the community. Success for me was always about team effort and I was always supported by an incredibly talented team. Every person involved played a huge role in the success of my productions. My thanks to each and every one of you! Some of my other proud moments included: member (and former) President of the Algoma Fall Festival, life member Musical Comedy Guild, executive member Sault Area Hospital Gift Gala Auction, Algoma EFTO steward, Chief Negotiator - Algoma EFTO, President of Sault Ste. Marie Women’s Teachers Association, co-founder of the Sault Block Parent Program, co-founder of a girls city-wide slow-pitch league, Silver Jubilee Medal of Merit Award recipient, Women of the Week recipient, and Local OSSTF Award of Excellence in Education. Giving back to my community was always an important aspect of my life (and Jim’s) and volunteering was no better way of achieving. Most recently, our time was devoted to Hospice Niagara and Club Roma. A huge, heartfelt thank you to my ‘health care angels’ Drs. Levesque, Bokhari, Conen, Leonard, Mattar, Durant, Bertley, Mitar, Hasami, Lam, Cheung and all the nurses/staff at the Walker Family Cancer Centre as well as on 3B Oncology, the Diagnostic/Imaging Units and in the Emergency and Critical Care Departments. A special mention to Clinic nurses Lisa (Thrombosis) and Tara (Lung). Thanks to my NPs Jenny, Anna, Andrea and Martha. Thank you to Dr. Paul Kunk and Robert Dreicer (Best Doctors), Dr. G. Bjarnason (Sunnybrook) and Dr. A. Hansen (Princess Margaret). A special shout out to NP Colleen Bredin and Dr. M. Bokhari for always responding to my more urgent needs. Thanks to the Hospice Palliative Care Team Theresa (NP) and Geoff (counsellor) as well as Jan (volunteer) who was helping me write my LifeBook. Thanks to Wellspring Niagara for making me feel so special upon arriving at their doorstep. Thanks to all those from Saint Elizabeth’s for all the support provided so I could remain at home, especially nurses Megan and Amanda. A special thanks to Hospice Niagara’s Residence Care Team Dr. Brian Kerley, Carole Nagy (ED), the nurses, the PSWs and to Chef Patrick. My final days of life could not have been any more special thanks to the compassionate and personalized care you all provided. To my dearest family physician Dr. Matt Greenway, my oncologist Dr. Michael Levesque and my home care nurse Christopher Smith, words cannot express how much love I feel for you three! I was so blessed to have your support and expertise along the way. It made a huge difference to me (and Jim), we are forever grateful! In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Niagara or ARCH (in Sault Ste. Marie, ON) would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to PATTERSON FUNERAL HOME, 6062 Main St. Niagara Falls. Cremation has taken place, and once COVID -19 restrictions are lifted details will be announced for visitation and a memorial Mass in Niagara Falls. A Celebration of Life will be held a later date in Sault Ste. Marie, ON. Until we meet again, God Bless!
