With her family at her bedside, Murdena M. Gigliotti passed away July 15, 2025, at the age of eighty-seven.

Mom was born in New Waterford, Nova Scotia on October 4, 1937.

In 1949, her mother, Catherine, packed up her six kids (at the time), boarded the train to move out west, settling in Hillcrest, Alberta. Two years later the family made their final move to Fernie, BC.

In her later teenage years, she began her vocation as an LPN at St. Eugenes Hospital in Cranbook, BC. until she met the love of her life, Joseph Gigliotti, in 1957. They married on July 4, 1958. The following year, they welcomed the first of their seven children. She was a stay-at-home mom until all her children were in school. Her family always came first. She
went back to work as a custodian for School District No.5 for 20 years.

She loved sports. She played softball and was known to be an excellent pitcher. She later coached a ladies’ softball team. Her all-time favorite sports to watch were hockey and curling. She never missed the Scotts Tournament of Hearts or the Men’s Briar.

Her family continued to grow; fifteen grandchildren: Sean (Jill), Danny (Jessie), Allison (Brent), Desirae (Jason), Rochelle (Dave), Michael (Kerri), Nicole, Sheldon, Justin, Jenna, Joseph (Ally), Jayden, Jordan, Linden, and Megan, and thirteen great-grandchildren. Her grandkids will never forget Christmases at Nana’s. She was the best Nana. She was the most caring and generous person with the best sense of humor.

Mom is predeceased by her husband, Joseph; son, Donovan Gigliotti; mother, Catherine McKinnon; sister, Dollie Donaldson; brothers, Hughie McKinnon and Lowell LeBlanc. She is survived by her children: Dan (Esther) Gigliotti, Darren (Bonnie) Gigliotti, Donita (Bryan) Hampson, Delayne (Rocky) Bartsch, Dena Morris, Dean (Deidre) Gigliotti; brother, Gus McKinnon; sisters, Colleen Pezel, Karen Johnson, Terry Tabor, Sandy Hodgson; grandchildren, and many nieces, and nephews.