Delfina Berube
May 17, 1923 — July 23, 2014
Delfina (Del) Berube of Shelby, MT, passed away on July 23, 2014, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell, MT, surrounded by her loving family.
Del was born May 17, 1923, in Dignanio, Italy, the first of three children born to Biaggio and Maria DiMarco. She was 15 when the family immigrated to Canada to join Biaggio in Nordegg, Alberta, where he was a coal miner. Del moved to Lethbridge, Alberta, in 1946, where she worked in a bakery. She met her lifetime love, Antonio Berube, in Lethbridge at the dance pavilions. They were married in 1949, when she moved to Shelby where Antonio was employed. Six children were born to this union. Del was proud to become a naturalized citizen of the USA in 1972.
Del was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and role model. She loved her family, garden, flowers and greenhouse. She and Tony treasured the time spent with family at their summer cabin, where all friends were also welcome. Del was an accomplished seamstress and sewed many clothes and quilts for her family--as well as beautiful Barbie doll clothes for her daughters and grandchildren. She taught all grandchildren how to play cribbage. They all hope that some of her luck stays with them! All children, grandchildren and neighbors so much enjoyed Del’s authentic Italian dishes, cookies and treats. When offered food at her home, ‘No thank you’ was not an accepted reply and was met immediately with “Mangia” (eat).
Del was active in the St. William Catholic Church and Altar Society and devoted many hours to both.
Del was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Antonio, and her brother, Delchi DiMarco. She is survived by all six of her children (and spouses): Nino (Sue) Berube of Colombia Falls, MT; Lisette (Mike) Walker of Lafayette, CO; Mona (Jim) Alzheimer of Richland, WA; Germaine (Tom) Stivers of Lewistown, MT; Lorette (Tom) Carter of Shelby, MT; and Andree (Carl) Anderberg of Helena, MT. She is also survived by her sister and husband, Ada (Giovanni) Corazza of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and a large, loving extended family in Canada. Delfina has 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren, with a fifth on the way: Dulcie Berube Voermans (Lane and Kyler Voermans), Remi (Kristen) Berube (Brody and Della Berube), Jake Walker, Mika Walker, Garner (Shanna) Alzheimer, Chris (Summer) Carter (baby Carter), Kyle Carter, Kolby Carter, Risa Stivers, Sydney Stivers, and Emma Anderberg.
Del has a favorite quote that was passed onto her family: “My dear precious family, always remember that a mother’s love never dies. Always trust in God--walking in faith and trusting in God’s plan.”
The family of Del Berube would like to thank the caring staff at Immanuel Lutheran Home for the many kindnesses and care they extended our mother.
A celebration of life mass will be on Saturday, July 26, 1:00 pm at St. William Catholic Church in Shelby, with interment and reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice.