Obituary

Laura Mendes was peacefully taken into the presence of the Lord, surrounded by her loved ones on January 18, 2025 at her home in Thornhill, Canada. She is survived by her beloved husband of 40 years, Mario; children Joshua (Ashley) and Nadia; mother Emma; siblings Angela (Marian), Rita (Claudio), Leslie (Angelo), Jane, and Daniel; and large extended family.

Laura was born on February 1, 1960 in São Paulo, Brazil to her loving parents Emma and Angelo Abisso and immigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1966. She met her husband Mario in 1977 at the annual picnic of the First Portuguese Evangelical Church of Toronto - the church that she ended up attending faithfully for the rest of her life. Laura and Mario were married in 1984 and welcomed their first child Joshua in 1990.

Laura flourished in her career at Shoppers Drug Mart as a Cosmetic Manager / Buyer, leading her store to be amongst the highest grossing in Canada. Despite her success in the industry, she found the most fulfillment in being a mother. In 1997, she gave birth to Nadia and decided to leave her career to dedicate every part of herself to her children. In the company of her entire family, Laura enjoyed countless family vacations, sports tournaments, daily phone calls and celebrated every milestone.

Laura will be remembered by her kind and giving heart, iconic one-liners, and of course, her tiramisu. Although she didn’t realize just how strong she was, in all the tribulation she faced, Laura still found hope and comfort by trusting in God, knowing that she had a heavenly home awaiting her. She will be greatly missed, but celebrated every day by those survived by her.

 

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” - II Timothy 4:7

In honour of Laura's memory, the Mendes family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers, you consider donating to the Canadian Cancer Society , Princess Margaret Foundation or North York General Foundation.

Visitation

Date
January 24, 2025
Location
Cardinal Funeral Homes - Bathurst Chapel
Time
02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Date
January 24, 2025
Location
Cardinal Funeral Homes - Bathurst Chapel
Time
06:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Service

Date
January 25, 2025
Location
Cardinal Funeral Homes - Bathurst Chapel
Time
11:00 AM

Entombment

Date
January 25, 2025
Location
Elgin Mills Cemetery
Time
01:15 PM
Memo

Arrival time is an estimate

*

January 30, 2025
Angela Bonomo
Cari Signora Emma , Mario , Joshua , Nadia e tutti Inviamo i Nostri più cari sentimenti per la breve partenza di Laura , ce la ricordiamo piccollina , tanto carina .. Una persona brillante , dolcissima , forte e positiva ! Voi tutti siete la nostra vera famiglia , non di sangue , ma di cuore … , che è questa che conta . Come eravamo felici quando Stavamo insieme a tutti, c’era l’allegria e l’amore negli occhi, Siamo sempre gradite per il vostro acoglimento Incondizionale .. Abbiamo sempre ricevuto per la posta dei belli cartoni di Natale , di Pasqua ,e sempre ci hanno acompagnato per molti anni .. tanto belli e dolcissimi.. Infelicemente Dio si è voluto portarla via .. che la acoglia con amore e tenerezza , con riconoscimento per tutta la lotta che ha fatto e vinto ! Che Dio possa consolare o couri di tutti , mamma Emma , Mario ( caro marito ) , i figlia Joshua e Nádia , e tutte i caríssimi Pierangela, Rita , Daniele ,Leslie. Jane, gli Sposi e i cari nipoti .. Con tutto il nostro amore di Angela, Nadia , Domenico (e Thainà) , Alessandro , Marcellina , Camilla ( e Victor ) , Óscar e Rogério ; che la picollissima família di Memmo e Marcella 🫶🫶🫶🥲🥲🥲
January 26, 2025
John Tsialtas
My heartfelt condolences to the Mendes and Abisso Families. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, He gave his only Son, that whoever believe in him should not perish but have eternal life.
January 25, 2025
Christina
My deepest condolences for the loss of our beautiful Laura. Mario, Joshua, Nadia…her love will always shine down on all of you. Love never dies, it just changes frequencies. Emma, Rita, Angie, Leslie, Jenny, Daniel and all of your gorgeous families, thank you for loving souls and hearts. Love is the answer to all of the healing. Laura was always a beacon of light, she shone love to everyone. She saw the greatness in everyone. I was blessed to call her my good friend, a best friend. I love her like a soul sister that God divinely sent her in my life and me in hers. Her memory is eternal, never forgotten, always remembered for her gentle and kind soul. God Bless all of you ♥️☦️🙏🏼
January 24, 2025
Joanne Conforti
To the Mendes family and the Abisso family, with a heavy heart please accept my deepest condolences Love Joanne Conforti and family
January 24, 2025
Jenny DeStefano-Lewis
Dear Mario and Family, My thoughts and prayers for you and your family. I am so sorry for your loss.
January 24, 2025
June Barkie
Laura was a beautiful soul. We reconnected about 9 years ago. We both attended Bathurst Heights. I remember Laura as a person who was always so loving , kind and friendly. May she rest in the loving arms of our Savior. My condolences to the entire family.
January 24, 2025
Maria Gabriele ( one of the Bathurst girls)
Mario, and family, please accept my deep felt condolences. It’s hard to imagine her lovely spirit will have to live on in our memories. Memories like the countless high school gatherings, dinners and parties when we were young. And the many “birthday dinners with The Bathurst heights girls”. An unforgettable human.
January 23, 2025
Americo and Paul Ferreira
Our deepest condolences to the Mendes Family. Laura was deeply loved by our chuch and she will be dearly missed. We pray that you will experience God 's Comfort and Presence through this difficult time. Psalms 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
January 23, 2025
Bessie and Lydia DiMartino
Our deepest sympathy for your loss.
January 23, 2025
Blandisi Family
Thinking of you all during this very sad & difficult time. Laura was such a wonderful person, she will never be forgotten. Sending lots of love, strength and prayers❤️🙏🏻
January 23, 2025
Kitty and Arrick Lui
My deepest condolences to the Mendes family. May God’s words comfort you all in this tough and difficult time.
January 23, 2025
Elvira Fazari
My deepest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time. Laura will always be with you.
January 22, 2025
Mina Abbas
My deepest condolences to the Mendes family. I just know Laura had to have been an incredible woman to have raised such a wonderful daughter and human being like Nadia. Please accept my deepest condolences. My heart and prayers go out to your precious family.❤️