ELISA LODOVICA SANTIN

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ELISA LODOVICA SANTIN

November 29, 1934 -

December 25, 2025

After meeting many health challenges with the same quiet strength she showed throughout her life, Elisa slipped away peacefully while in hospital in Niagara Falls, Ont., during the early morning hours on Christmas Day.

Devoted wife of 50 years to the late Principe Arduino (Nino) Santin (2003). Proud mother of Aldo (Pam Pyke) of Winnipeg, Olga (Joe Grcevic) of Niagara Falls, and Roy (Jenny Ireland) of Toronto. Cherished Nonna to Katrina Grcevic, Paula Smith (Nathan), of St. Catharines, Ont., Jesse Santin (Jenn), of Winnipeg, Julia Grcevic, Thomas Grcevic (Emily Kestle), of Midland, Ont., and Elisa Santin, of Winnipeg. Elisa was very excited to have become a Bisnonna to Nico Peter Santin (Jesse and Jenn) and the soon-to-arrive Baby Smith.

Elisa is survived by her siblings, Vittoria Gatto, of Guelph, Ont., and Ardruino (Art) Pizzicarola (Janet), of Fort Erie, Ont. Predeceased by her infant son Dominic (1958) and siblings, Antonietta Tudini (of Italy), Valentino, Benny (Toronto), and Agnes. Sadly missed by her many adoring nieces and nephews in Canada and Italy.

Elisa was born in Ceprano, Italy, to the late Francesco Pizzicarola and Maria Baldinelli. She came to Canada in 1951 with her family to build a better life in Niagara Falls. Elisa met Nino when he moved in across the street and they were married in 1953. She had a life-long passion for learning. She embraced technology and enjoyed her FitBit and iPad. She had many jobs but found her true passion working at the original Criveller’s Pastries for many years, where she ended up running the kitchen until her retirement.

Elisa was a proud, 50-year member of the CWL at Our Lady of the Scapular RC Church. She enjoyed travelling with her siblings to Myrtle Beach, Vegas, Cuba and Florida and was always up for an adventure and challenge. Family was everything to her and Elisa was always ready to make her risotto, crostolli or gnocchi for everyone. Her quiet strength of character, work ethic, and her rare but beautiful giggle and smile are some of the qualities we will miss the most. As she grew older and more confident, the tales of her courage, humour and sass grew with each passing year. She was small but mighty right to the end.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday January 3, 2026, 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Scapular Church in Niagara Falls, Ont. Memorial donations may be made to Niagara Health Foundation Kidney Care Program or Heart Niagara. The funeral will be webcast at www.youtube.com/        @ScapularNiagara/streams

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 03, 2026