Liliana De Stefano

DE STEFANO, Liliana (née Del Din) – 

October 29, 1939 – October 29, 2025

Liliana De Stefano passed away at the age of 86 surrounded by her loving family, on October 29, 2025, at Guelph General Hospital. 

As a woman who devoted her life to her family, her final gesture of love was to pass away in the early minutes of her birthday, while her family kept vigil and quietly celebrated her birthday with her favourite strawberry shortcake.

Liliana was a woman of strength, integrity, elegance and love, who lived a full life. 

Born in Meduno, Italy, she moved after WWII with her family to l’Île de Groix in France and then to Toronto, after marrying Mario De Stefano. The family later moved to Arkell, Ontario, where she was a hobby farmer— raising her beloved sheep, chickens and a family of four, after Mario passed away in 1982.

She was a loving mother to Loretta (widowed, Cameron), Mary (happily divorced), Lucia (former spouse, Neil) and Peter (Mary). Liliana adored and was blessed with seven beautiful grandchildren, Natasha and Gianmarco (Mary), Allegra and William (Lucia), Juliana (Loretta), Anthony and Frank (Peter). 

Liliana was incredibly hard working. She was an avid cook and gardener, who loved music, reading, dancing, Jeopardy, and food (especially cakes). She travelled frequently to visit her parents and father-in-law in Italy. 

After moving from Toronto, Liliana integrated easily into a new life and community in Arkell, where she made many lifelong friends through The Arkell Women’s Institute.

Liliana is survived by her sister Claudia Faion (France), and sister-in-law, Sylvia Furlano (Woodbridge). She is preceded in death by her parents (Pierina Concina, Cesare Del Din), father-in-law (PierAntonio De Stefano), mother-in-law, Maria De Stefano and sister-in-law, Luciana Mian (Kleinburg).

Our sincere thanks to the doctors and nurses at the Guelph General Hospital for their exceptional and compassionate care, and to staff at The Elliott Retirement Community.  Our heartfelt gratitude to Stella and Carol for their loving companionship.

A mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 29 at The Basilica of our Lady Immaculate (28 Norfolk St, Guelph, ON N1H 4H8, (519) 824-3951). A luncheon will take place after the Mass in the Parish Hall. All are welcome.  Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Guelph General Hospital Foundation in Liliana’s honour, or to a charity of your choice.

A tree will be planted in memory of Liliana De Stefano in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.