Obituary for Zelda Psikla
It is with great sadness that we are announcing the passing of Izelda “Zelda” Psikla (nee Carniato) on April 6th, 2022. Zelda died as peacefully as she lived over the 99 years that she was with us.
Born in Port Arthur Ontario on November 19th, 1922, Zelda was one of the eight beautiful children born to witness God’s love through the marriage of Pietro and Maria Carniato; [Osmildo “Jimmy”; Zemira “Zem” (Joseph Belluz / William Mersington); Eufrasia “Frances” (Nello Buset); Plinio “Planky” (Josephine); Amedeo “Pecho” (Emma); Italo “Joe” (Kay) and Joann (Baps Fogolin)]. Zelda was also very close to her first cousins John Carniato, Sally (John Kawalchuk), and Vi (Wally Morgan). All of Zelda’s siblings and cousins, with the exception of brother Pecho and sister-in-law Emma, have passed away before her.
In addition to the Carniato side of the ledger, Zelda inherited four brothers (Steve, Joseph, Peter and Frank) and seven sisters (Julia, Sophie, Susan, Catherine, Monica, Mary and Theresa) from her husband Paul’s side of her family.
As is the case with many of the Port Arthur coal dock girls during the mid-forties to early fifties, Zelda and her older sisters frequented the Fort William east end area to check out the party scene. That is where she met her husband to be Paul Psikla. Quiet and shy, Zelda did not divulge too many details about the romance involved in the courting days. However, the known facts as documented for the record indicate the relationship culminated into a marriage on August 28th, 1954 and a then long loving relationship until Paul passed away on January 15th, 1996.
Paul and Zelda did not have any children of their own. However, each had a great number of siblings which led to a great number of nephews and nieces requiring a great Aunt to provide the great amount of treats that could never be coaxed from the Parents. I believe that it was the older nieces that came up with the plot of convincing everyone that Nona (Zelda’s Mom Maria) should take up residence at Auntie Zelda’s house so they could go there to visit Nona in order to indulge in numerous treats consumed while hidden from the ever-watchful eyes of the Parents.
Besides being the spoiling Aunt of the nieces and nephews, Zelda was the care giver, homemaker, friend and companion for husband Paul and Mother Maria. This was a demanding task as both Paul and Nona required special attention. She was also very active in her parish, St Elizabeth’s RC church. She was the singing voice of the church for many years and could she ever belt out that Ave Maria. She was also a long-time member of the Catholic Women’s League and was active until she could not continue to be so. In order to attend all of the church functions and meetings that her church involvement demanded, Zelda recruited her brothers Planky, Pecho and Joe to sit with Nona when she went out. Their benefit was to brush up on their Italian with Nona and indulge in the baked goods made fresh on a daily basis by Zelda. There was never a dull moment.
As time took its toll, Zelda moved to smaller accommodations at the Hacienda apartments where Pecho and Emma resided and became a member of St Dominic’s RC Church and Catholic Women’s League. She later took residence at Hogarth Riverview Manor where she remained until her stint on earth was completed. All who knew her and survived her will miss her.
Zelda’s Funeral will be held on Thursday April 14th at St Dominic’s RC Church on Redwood Avenue. Viewing will take place from 10:00 to 11:00 followed by the Funeral Mass. Memorial donations are welcome to the Alzheimer’s Society of Thunder Bay.
Born in Port Arthur Ontario on November 19th, 1922, Zelda was one of the eight beautiful children born to witness God’s love through the marriage of Pietro and Maria Carniato; [Osmildo “Jimmy”; Zemira “Zem” (Joseph Belluz / William Mersington); Eufrasia “Frances” (Nello Buset); Plinio “Planky” (Josephine); Amedeo “Pecho” (Emma); Italo “Joe” (Kay) and Joann (Baps Fogolin)]. Zelda was also very close to her first cousins John Carniato, Sally (John Kawalchuk), and Vi (Wally Morgan). All of Zelda’s siblings and cousins, with the exception of brother Pecho and sister-in-law Emma, have passed away before her.
In addition to the Carniato side of the ledger, Zelda inherited four brothers (Steve, Joseph, Peter and Frank) and seven sisters (Julia, Sophie, Susan, Catherine, Monica, Mary and Theresa) from her husband Paul’s side of her family.
As is the case with many of the Port Arthur coal dock girls during the mid-forties to early fifties, Zelda and her older sisters frequented the Fort William east end area to check out the party scene. That is where she met her husband to be Paul Psikla. Quiet and shy, Zelda did not divulge too many details about the romance involved in the courting days. However, the known facts as documented for the record indicate the relationship culminated into a marriage on August 28th, 1954 and a then long loving relationship until Paul passed away on January 15th, 1996.
Paul and Zelda did not have any children of their own. However, each had a great number of siblings which led to a great number of nephews and nieces requiring a great Aunt to provide the great amount of treats that could never be coaxed from the Parents. I believe that it was the older nieces that came up with the plot of convincing everyone that Nona (Zelda’s Mom Maria) should take up residence at Auntie Zelda’s house so they could go there to visit Nona in order to indulge in numerous treats consumed while hidden from the ever-watchful eyes of the Parents.
Besides being the spoiling Aunt of the nieces and nephews, Zelda was the care giver, homemaker, friend and companion for husband Paul and Mother Maria. This was a demanding task as both Paul and Nona required special attention. She was also very active in her parish, St Elizabeth’s RC church. She was the singing voice of the church for many years and could she ever belt out that Ave Maria. She was also a long-time member of the Catholic Women’s League and was active until she could not continue to be so. In order to attend all of the church functions and meetings that her church involvement demanded, Zelda recruited her brothers Planky, Pecho and Joe to sit with Nona when she went out. Their benefit was to brush up on their Italian with Nona and indulge in the baked goods made fresh on a daily basis by Zelda. There was never a dull moment.
As time took its toll, Zelda moved to smaller accommodations at the Hacienda apartments where Pecho and Emma resided and became a member of St Dominic’s RC Church and Catholic Women’s League. She later took residence at Hogarth Riverview Manor where she remained until her stint on earth was completed. All who knew her and survived her will miss her.
Zelda’s Funeral will be held on Thursday April 14th at St Dominic’s RC Church on Redwood Avenue. Viewing will take place from 10:00 to 11:00 followed by the Funeral Mass. Memorial donations are welcome to the Alzheimer’s Society of Thunder Bay.