The Laghi family is deeply saddened to announce the passing on July 27th, 2019, of Anna Maria Laghi, 80, of Hamilton. Anna Maria was born in Pordenone, Italy, on May 16th, 1939 to Pietro Covre and Yolanda Covre (née Chiarot). Before moving to Canada as a teen, Anna Maria , her mother, father and brother Angelo spent time in France, where Pietro moved the family to earn a living in post-war Europe. After Pietro’s death in an industrial accident, the young family emigrated to Canada, settling in Hamilton. Once there, Anna Maria met her future husband, Franco, whom she married in 1957. Three children followed, Brian, Linda and Sandra, all of whom are married with children of their own. Anna Maria devoted much of her life to raising her family. Along the way, she danced waltzes and passo dobles at Venetian Club picnics, grew radicchio before it was fashionable, enjoyed the odd glass of Franco’s home-made wine, was known to eat whole lemon wedges with the rind on and ran a tight household. She kept the pasta sauce simple (not too much tomato), got the kids to like spinach risotto and had a light touch with the oil and vinegar on salads. Servings of polenta and baccala were met with varying levels of enthusiasm by the kids, but more old-time palates knew better. In her retirement, Anna Maria regularly visited Cuba with Franco during winter, fed ice cream to the grandkids, read deeply and learned to make friends on Facebook. Like many immigrants of the 1950s, Anna Maria experienced the hard challenges of growing up in post-war Europe, but never dwelled on the past. Given her love of family, it is perhaps fitting that she passed away on the 62nd anniversary of her wedding day. Anna Maria is predeceased by her parents, Pietro and Yolanda, and by her brother Angelo (Mary-deceased). She leaves behind her devoted husband, Franco; loving children Brian (Julie), Linda (Malcolm) and Sandra (Mario). She will be deeply missed by her seven grandchildren Sophie (Charlie), Harry, Callum, Ethan (Elise), Francesca, Isabella and Desirée as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbours. Visitation will take place at SMITH’S FUNERAL HOME, 454 Highway #8 (East of Millen Road) STONEY CREEK (905-664-4222) on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 from 5-8 p.m. Funeral Service will take place on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at SMITH’S FUNERAL HOME. Interment to follow at Mountview Gardens. If desired, memorial contributions to Dr Bob Kemp Hospice would be sincerely appreciated by the family.