BARRAVECCHIO. — Michelina

Born 14 .2.1927

At Vizzini (Catania) Italy

Deceased 16. 5.2020

At Melbourne

Michelina aged 93 passed away on 16 May 2020 at the Royal Melbourne hospital. The pain experienced by her family, in particular, her children Angela and Joe is immeasurable.

Michelina was the very much loved mother of her children - son - Vito Barravecchio (deceased 3.7.2016) and daughter - in law Giovanna Barravecchio; and her daughter Angela Santilli and son Joe Barravecchio. She was also a very much loved grandmother, great grandmother, mother - in law, auntie and friend of many.

Michelina also leaves behind:

Her grandchildren Domenico Barravecchio and his wife Pina; Michelle Debrincat and her husband Mark; Adam Santilli and his wife Diana; Carmela Gunn and her husband Tom;  Ricky Santilli;  and Dominic Santilli and his wife Jessica.

Her great grandchildren Celeste, Sarah and Dean ; Zach and Mia; Rafael and Jasmine; and Matthew and Chiara.

The children of her sister Giovanna Ficarra and her husband Mario Ficarra (both deceased) and their respective families; her sister Maria Canto (wife of Michele Canto deceased) and their family who reside in Italy; her sister-in-law Sebastiana (Nella) Gentile the wife of her brother Giovanni Gentile (deceased) and their family; brother Gregorio Gentile  husband of Lucia (deceased) and their family who reside in Italy; her nephew Joe Barravecchio - son of brother - in law  Fillippo and wife Vita and Joe’s older brother Vito (all deceased) and Joe’s wife Ying and their respective families;  the family of sister-in-law Francesca and Salvatore Cavallo (both deceased) and their family who reside in Italy.

Michelina leaves behind all of her friends at Saint Oliver Plunkett Catholic Church Pascoe Vale, in particular, the Tuesday morning Italian ladies prayer group and the Tuesday evening prayer group.

Michelina suffered a major stroke in January 2004 with permanent right side paralysis and a severe speech impediment. God blessed her and her family to continue living at home with great support from her son Joe, daughter Angela, son Vito and daughter-in-law Giovanna. Rachelle, from the physiotherapy team at Royal Melbourne campus, assisted by Michelina’s daughter Angela, was instrumental in Michelina being able to walk with a walking aid after her very serious stroke.

Michelina proved the doctors wrong, as the family was told repeatedly that she would never walk again. Despite Michelina’s paralysis and severe speech impediment, she displayed great courage and determination and against all odds returned home to continue her life journey with her loving family. She never complained and was always smiling, gracious and thankful. Our hearts have been broken with her passing.

The family also expresses its gratitude to all of the doctors and medical staff involved in Michelina’s care since January 2004. We also express our thanks to all of the personal carers from Benetas who made it possible for Michelina and Domenico to live at home with Joe.

Michelina was a devout catholic and prayed the Rosary every day. She mourned the loss of her son Vito daily.

The family expresses its sincere gratitude to all of those beautiful people that have prayed for Michelina and comforted us in this moment of great grief.

Michelina will be forever remembered in our hearts as the most special, caring, loving and gorgeous mother, grandmother, great grandmother and mother-in-law that anyone could ever ask for. We thank God for giving us all the special moments with her in particular since January 2004.

We pray that God has mercy on Michelina’s soul that she is with God in heaven and is reunited with her husband Domenico, son Vito and her parents Giuseppe and Marianna and loved ones.

RIP

Due to COVID-19 the funeral will be restricted to 20 people and the family regrets that the larger (family) community will be unable to attend. It will be live streamed.