“I do ok for who I am “- FTP
It is with profound sadness that the family of Miss Filomena Theresa Pepe announce her passing while holding her sister Louisa’s hand at Hogarth Riverview Manor on April 21, 2026. Theresa left this world as she lived; up with the birds, and out the door at sunrise, off on a new adventure. She was a beautiful kind generous soul, who never met a stranger.
Filomena was born March 25, 1951 at home in Orsara Di Puglia, Foggia, Italia to proud parents Antonetta Acquaviva and Antonio Pepe. She was a shy, quiet child, often preferring her own company. She spent her first 7 years in Orsara, growing in nature, with parents, her nonni, Donato Pepe and Maria Ventrudo, Giovanni Acquaviva and Filomena Trivisano and numerous zia’s and zio’s who loved her very much.
In March of 1958 , she boarded the SS Saturnia in Napoli, with her parents, her brother Don and sister Louisa and headed to America, spending 10 nights and 11 days on the rough Atlantic Ocean, arriving in Halifax. From there, the family took the train to Fort William. They were welcomed by family, who emigrated years earlier.
She attended Vickers Heights school, Rosslyn Road school (where she learned English) and finally transferred to the newly built Holy Family School. She also attended Northwood Highschool.
She spent her early years growing up on Rosslyn Road.
Theresa was a free-spirited traveller. In her late teens, she caught a train and headed west, stopping in Kelowna, where she worked picking apples. It was a very happy time in her life, and she shared this story often. She lived in Vancouver, Toronto, and many smaller communities in Northwestern Ontario before returning to Thunder Bay.
She loved animals, and was often seen walking between the north and south end of town with her dog.
Theresa loved music. It was during a time that she lived in Toronto when she scored tickets for herself and a friend to see her favorite artist, Charlie Pride. The friend cancelled, but she went anyway and somehow managed to get backstage and met him in person. Her life was full of amazing experiences and adventures.
In her teenage years, she began struggling with mental health. She lived the transient lifestyle by choice, faced stigma,and mistreatment and received multiple differing diagnoses over the years.
In May of 2020, Theresa suffered a stroke that left her blind, requiring long-term care. During the first year there she was diagnosed with Autism at 69 years old, and was started on medication that was effective.
Theresa lived her last three years under the care of the phenomenal staff on 1 North, Daffodil unit, at Hogarth Riverview Manor. There she was cared for with dignity and was respected and loved by everyone.
She was very proud of her family and loved them very much
She will be immensely missed by her beloved son, Kevin Cebrario of Schreiber Ontario, her brothers and sisters: Donald (Judy), Louisa Edwards (late Robert), Daniel (Jan Laing), Maria Burla (Dave Goodheart) Michalina Pepe (Paul Manzon), and Tony. She is also survived by many Nieces, Nephews, great nieces and nephews, aunts,uncles and cousins in Thunder bay, throughout Canada, and Italy.
Respecting Theresa wishes, she has been cremated, and will be placed beside her Mother in the family plot in Mountain View Cemetery, Thunder Bay. A portion of her ashes will be brought back to Italy to be reunited with her Nonna Filomena Trivisano in Orsara Di Puglia. A family service to celebrate Theresa’s life will be held at a later date.
Theresa’s family would like to express their deepest gratitude to all her angels here on earth who loved, respected and supported Theresa in any way. Thank you to the wonderful staff at Hogarth Riverview Manor for the amazing care.
To Pastors Melody, Gary, and Sha, and staff from Grace Place,, you always welcomed her with open arms and treated her with love and respect, and supported her, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You were all saviours in her life.
To her private support workers who were so kind and supportive, we thank you for allowing us to entrust Theresa to you.
The family respectfully request that donations in memory of Miss Filomena Theresa Pepe be made to Grace Place.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpler Times Cremation Centre, 575 Central Avenue, Thunder Bay.
