Nanner: A Hero, A Mentor, More Than Your Average Nana

Today, I pay tribute to someone I did not have the chance to know as well as I would have liked to. Today is a day to give thanks for having someone who you hold near and dear to your heart. January 24th 2012 is the day a good friend says goodbye to her Nana.

The best, the strongest, the biggest heart, the cutest, the most courageous... The list goes on and on. This is how Ange describes her beloved Nana on a daily basis. Nanner, as she likes to refer to her, lived to be nearly 92 years young. Quite a feat in itself, if I do say so myself. The most amazing part to me is not the life she lived, but the legacy she leaves behind.

Angela DeFrancesco ranks within an elite group of people who I see as very strong women. I talked a bit about strength before, so you can understand that I don't mean only physical strength. She's there when you need her, always ready to work, compassionate when she needs to be, but never a pushover... A solid friend, employee, trainer and teacher only to name a few attributes. I feel like I surround myself with strong friends, and Ange fits right in there. Where does this strength come from? In this case, I was lucky enough to get a glimpse.

I don't think strength is something you are born with, but rather something that you learn. Ange, her sister Gina, their 2 brothers Michael and David, and all of their cousins were very lucky to have such an excellent example of strength in their Nana from what I understand.

She came to this country as a young woman, and as most immigrants, did not have much to her name. She and her husband had a family and made a nice life for themselves here in Sault Ste Marie. Her husband passed over 20 years ago, so she alone welcomed many grandchildren and even great grandchildren after his passing.

Even in her days as an elderly woman, Nana enjoyed going for walks and riding her indoor "bike" one of Ange's Christmas presents to her since she always enjoyed physical activity and liked to jog on the spot and stretch... Anything to remain active. She was always in great spirits and was the head of her family right until the day she passed.

Surrounded by many loved ones, January 24 2012, was her last day here and she leaves behind many saddened friends and family members, but she also leaves behind all that she taught her children and grandchildren.

Patience, great strength, determination and a "big heart" are just some traits that I have seen present in this family. A family first attitude and a great passion for life... She will live on forever in those she left behind. My deepest condolences to the DeFrancesco family, but your beloved Nana will live on in all of you!

Nana cruising her way to being 92 years old on her "bike"

All set to go for a walk and learn some Italian.