Erika Heimtraut Calissi

ERIKA HEIMTRAUT CALISSI
1939-2020

On Saturday March 14, Erika died peacefully at Kelowna General Hospital, with her family by her side.

Erika is survived by her loving husband Pietro “Peter” Calissi of Lakeview Heights, her daughter Bianca and son Marino, her sister-in-law Valentina, many caring nieces and nephews in Kelowna and Penticton as well as relatives in Germany, Austria and Italy. She was sadly predeceased by her oldest son Pierre in 2018.

Erika was born in Friesach Austria in 1939, lived in Germany until her teen years and moved to Canada with her Father. In 1959 she moved to Kelowna and has been a resident of West Kelowna for 56 years. In 1965 she and Pietro bought a property on Paynter Road in Westbank and planted one of the first family vineyards in the area. She was proud to be a vineyard and orchard owner and being involved in Okanagan agriculture.

Erika loved and supported the arts, including Opera, Symphony, and theatre. She also enjoyed being involved with local politics, which she shared with her son Pierre. Other passions were reading the Daily Courier and many many biographies, as well as having lunch at the local wineries with Bianca.

She was loved by her many friends and neighbours, and one couldn't have had a nicer Mom.

We'd like to give a great big thank-you to Dominic Rampone for being such a wonderful lifetime friend and for organizing Pierre's Celebrations of Life two years ago.

We would also like to thank Dr. Pavan and a special thank you to Dr. Welsh for helping Mom with her kidney health for many years.

Erika will be laid to rest at a later date at the Westbank Cemetery, and a family dinner will be held.