Diega Culmone
elevated UQYwM May 13, 1941 ~ October 6, 2026
elevated UQYwM Visitation
Friday, October 9, 2026 from 4 – 8pm
Queen of Heaven Catholic Funeral Home
7300 Highway 27, Woodbridge, Ontario L4L 1A5
elevated UQYwM Funeral Mass
Saturday October 10, 2026 at 9:00 am
Chapel of Our Lady of Consolation at Queen of Heaven Catholic Funeral Home
7300 Highway 27, Woodbridge, Ontario L4L 1A5
elevated UQYwM To join the Funeral Mass virtually, please click on the link below
Funeral Mass Livestream
elevated UQYwM Entombment
Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery
7300 Highway 27, Woodbridge, Ontario L4L 1A5
elevated UQYwM Obituary
It is with profound sadness, and immense gratitude for a life so beautifully lived, that the family of Diega Culmone announces her peaceful passing on October 6, 2026, at the age of 85, surrounded by those she loved.
Fierce and tender, spirited and steadfast, Diega was a remarkable woman. She possessed a sharp wit, a formidable will and a generosity of spirit that made people feel both cared for and at home. She lived with conviction, loved without reserve and left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her.
Born in Delia, Sicily, to Giuseppe Falzone and Giuseppina Randazzo, Diega knew hardship early. She lost her father when she was only four and was raised with the unconditional love and lifelong support of her zio and zia. Their care gave her a deep sense of belonging and helped shape the strength, resourcefulness and devotion to family that would become the hallmarks of her life.
In 1959, at the age of 18, she married the love of her life, Melchiorre Culmone. Together they built a partnership that spanned 61 years and carried them from Sicily to France and, in February 1965, to Canada. They arrived with two young children, strong values, perseverance and enormous hope for the future. They embraced the opportunity before them and, through hard work and an unwavering belief in one another, built a life filled with family, purpose and possibility.
In Toronto, Diega and Melchiorre put down new roots and worked tirelessly for their growing family. For many years they operated Palermo Variety on Ossington Avenue, a neighbourhood store that became much more than a place to shop. It was a gathering place for friends, neighbours and fellow immigrants, where people were welcomed, conversation flowed and lasting relationships were formed. Diega brought her humour and unmistakable personality to everything she did there.
If the store felt like an extension of her home, the house itself was the heart of it all, a haven where family and friends were fed, entertained and made to feel cherished. An extraordinary cook, she filled the kitchen with the flavours of Sicily and the table with abundance. There were traditional dishes, lively gatherings, Italian songs carried in her beautiful voice and, inevitably, a story worth telling. Diega expressed her love by feeding people, taking genuine pleasure in a full table and making sure no one ever left hungry.
Her faith was central to her life. Her devotion to La Madonna sustained her through hardship and comforted her through every season. Even as macular degeneration diminished her eyesight, and later after the loss of her beloved Melchiorre, Diega remained fiercely independent, continuing to live in the family home she cherished. She did not surrender easily to the difficulties life placed before her. She met them with resolve, faith and an unmistakable will of her own.
Perhaps the truest measure of Diega’s life was found in the people she loved.
Her greatest pride was her family and the opportunities she and Melchiorre had worked so hard to create for the generations that followed. She knew each of her children and grandchildren not simply as members of the family, but as individuals. She took the time to learn who they were, what mattered to them and what made them happy. Each relationship was personal and deeply felt, and she had a remarkable way of making every person feel that, in her eyes, they were truly special.
She leaves behind her children, Connie (Alberto), Vito (Nancy), Joe (Antonella) and Josie (Casey); her beloved grandchildren, Patrizia, Marco, Michael (Alexandra), Emily (Scott), Joshua, Madelin, Tristan and Simon; and her cherished great-grandchildren, Alex, Daniel and Vivian.
Each of them carries something of Diega forward: her humour, her traditions, her perseverance, her faith and, above all, her unshakable belief that family is life’s greatest blessing.
In the final chapter of her life, Diega faced illness with the same faith and resolve that had carried her through so much before. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Karineh Kazazian, Dr. Zaremba and the compassionate teams at Toronto General Hospital and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre for the extraordinary care they gave Diega and her family.
Diega’s legacy lives on in the family she nurtured, the sacrifices she made and the countless lives she touched with her kindness. It lives in the recipes still made, the songs still sung, the stories retold around crowded tables and the traditions she brought from her homeland and passed so lovingly to those who came after her. She held Sicily in her heart and proudly called Canada home, finding beauty in a song, comfort in prayer and everything she truly needed in the people she loved.
From simplicity, she made abundance.
May Diega rest in eternal peace, reunited with her beloved Melchiorre and held in the loving embrace of La Madonna.
May those who loved her find comfort in knowing that all Diega gave so freely, her love, her faith, her traditions, her stories and the strength of her presence, does not disappear. It lives on in all of us.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Diega’s memory to the UHN Foundation. UHN Foundation.
Our heartfelt condolences to Joe, Antonella, Joshua, and Madelin and the entire family on the loss of your beloved mother and grandmother. Diega will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched with her kindness, strength, and love.
Her legacy lives on through each of you and will continue to shine in the memories, values, and love she shared with her family. Take comfort in knowing that she has been reunited in Heaven with those who went before her and is now at peace.
Diega was a true pillar of strength for her family, and her memory will live on forever in your hearts. May you find comfort in the love that surrounds you, the cherished memories you hold, and the knowledge that her spirit will always be with you.
May Diega rest in eternal peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you all during this difficult time. 💐🕊️ Love Joe, Sandra, Andrea, Mathias and Alexander Li Calzi 🕊️💕
My deepest condolences to the family. I pray that the peace that passes all understanding, rest upon the family in this sad time. And may her memory and impact continue to live on. Amen.
Our deepest condolences to the entire Culmone family for this unmeasurable loss. Your mom/ nonna was one of the strongest, most resilient, stoic people I ever met. Your beautiful tribute perfectly articulated Diega’s strongest and most valuable attributes. She was a kind, sweet, gentle soul with a warm and friendly demeanour that always made people feel respected , appreciated and welcome no matter how much time had passed.
May she rest in eternal peace with your dad / nonno who I’m sure greeted her with loving arms on the other side. May you be comforted by the memories and legacy she has etched in your hearts and minds. 💙🙏
Our deepest sympathies for your loss.
Rose and Sergio Mazzuca and Family.
Dear Josie and family your mother sounded like a beautiful soul . Kind and loving. My deepest sympathy my dear friend and colleague to you and your family.😞
Dear Vito, Nancy e tutta la famglia Culmone. Le nostre più sincere condoglianze per la perdita della vostra carissima Madre Delia.
Donne della generazione di Mamma Delia hanno formato una generazione di uomini e donne incredibilmente resilienti alle avversità della vita e hanno donato un lascito profondo e di enorme valore umano e affettivo ai figli e nipoti. Che iddio l’ accolga con le braccia aperte nella sua riunione con Melchiorre. Riposi in pace.
Con profondo affetto.
Franco Mammarella e Cindy Rozen e famiglia
Dearest Joesy, Casey, Tristan and Simon,
I never had the opportunity to meet your precious mother, mother-law and grandmother. Only now have I come to know how amazing she was. This explains why I have always had special feelings for all of you, just look at your pedigree. Now it all makes sense to me.
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I hope you find comfort in knowing that she is reunited with her Melchiorre and our Lord, Jesus Christ.
What beautiful words of affirmation for a life well lived. My deepest condolences to you all. May Diega rest in peace. Love, Patricia Cipolla
Dear Connie, Vito, Joe, Josie and family,
The beautiful tribute to your mother in her obituary was so touching and truly reflects how special she was and how deeply she was loved. We know how much she meant to all of you, and our hearts go out to you during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the love she gave, the beautiful memories you shared, and the knowledge that she will always hold a special place in your hearts. Sending you all our love, prayers and heartfelt condolences. May she rest in eternal peace. Grace, Leo, Sylvia, Graziella Graci and Family
Sentite condoglianze alla famiglia, ci dispiace tantissimo di non essere stati presenti l’abbiamo saputo solo da poco
R.I.P. Diega 🙏🌹🕯️
Carissimi Vito e Nancy, sentite condoglianze a tutta la vostra famiglia, per la perdita della cara mamma Diega dai cugini Lucia e Antonio Carbone.
Un grande abbraccio
Sentite condoglianze per la perdita della cara mamma , non ci sono parole per colmare il vuoto immenso che ci lascia un genitore, dalle cugine Silvana Lucia Anna e famiglia e della Cara Zia Rosa dall’ Italia!