Anna Mastroianni’s life story is one of love, perseverance, and a deep connection to her cultural roots. Born and raised in the charming town of Sora, Italy, she grew up surrounded by the warmth of family and the comforting rhythms of a close-knit community. Her early years were filled with the security and support of home. But at just 18 years old, Mastroianni made a life-changing decision: she immigrated to Canada to join her husband, Vincenzo Mastroianni, who had settled in Oshawa.
Vincenzo had worked as a bricklayer for the first five years after arriving in Canada before transitioning to a long career at General Motors. The couple was married for 55 years until he passed away four years ago. Mastroianni now looks back on their long life together with fondness and gratitude.
It was a cold February day when Mastroianni arrived in Toronto, feeling the weight of isolation and uncertainty. As she sat in her kitchen, reflecting on the early days of her new life she said it was very hard, her voice thick with emotion. Mastroianni has now lived in this kitchen for decades, but she still vividly remembers how different everything was when she first arrived in Canada. Without knowing English and with no family nearby, she was thrust into an entirely unfamiliar world.
“I had to do everything on my own,” Mastroianni recalled, describing the challenges she faced as a young bride far from home. The language barrier was the toughest obstacle. But Mastroianni’s determination was unwavering. She enrolled in night school and spent six months learning English.
“I got the hang of it,” she said with a proud smile, her resolve evident. She was driven not only by the need to communicate but by the desire to become part of her new community and find her place in it.
As she worked to establish herself in Canada, Mastroianni stayed connected to the traditions that had shaped her identity. “Whatever the traditions I was taught back home, I kept them,” she stated proudly, her voice filled with a deep love for her Italian heritage.
In her kitchen, the smells of homemade pasta, freshly baked cookies, and other beloved dishes filled the air, grounding her in memories of the Italy she left behind. She often makes gnocchi and tiramisu, as well as baci di dama cookies, teaching her children and grandchildren to cook these dishes, just as her mother had taught her.
“I pass it on to my kids and grandkids,” Mastroianni said, ensuring the flavours and customs of Italy continue to thrive within her family.
Mastroianni’s journey was shaped by the striking contrast between her life in Italy and the reality of her new home in Canada. Reflecting on the difficult economic conditions that had led so many Italians to leave their homeland, she said, “Times were different back then. There just wasn’t any work back home.” Her understanding of the struggles faced by immigrants deepened over the years. “If they’re struggling over there, when they get here, it’s a whole different story,” she added, recognizing the changes that have occurred over time.
Though family remained central to Mastroianni’s identity, her connection to Italy began to shift. With only one aunt and a few cousins left there, she noticed a sense of loss when she visited after several years.
“I went back after five years, and it was nothing like it,” she reflected. “I already had two children here, and I knew nobody there.”
The place that had once been home no longer felt like it.
Despite the physical distance, Mastroianni’s bond with her family in Canada has only grown stronger. She raised three daughters, each of whom inherited her strong spirit and love for their Italian roots. Her youngest daughter, Cinzia, perfectly captures the essence of Mastroianni’s journey with a phrase she often repeats: “Don’t give up. Fight for what you believe in, but don’t look back. The past is the past.” This saying reflects Mastroianni’s resilience and the values she instilled in her children.
Throughout her 40-year career at Sklar Peppler, a furniture factory that originally operated on Victoria Street West in Whitby and later moved to Mackenzie Avenue in Ajax, Mastroianni found companionship among fellow immigrants.
“I met a lot of people—mostly Italian, Polish, and Portuguese,” she recalled. The shared experience of navigating life in a new country fostered a sense of camaraderie.
“We all share the same stories,” she said, reflecting on the strong bonds that formed among the workers. The factory became a second home, a place where the struggles of settling in a new land were understood by those who had lived through them.
Looking back on her life, Mastroianni’s journey stands as a profound testament to resilience, cultural pride, and the strength of family. Through hard work and unwavering determination, she forged a new life for herself and her loved ones in a foreign land. Her story inspires us all, showing that, even in the face of hardship, it is possible to thrive, honour one’s roots, and build a legacy of love and strength for future generations.