Obituary of Tina Colistro

To Watch Video of Service click this link:https://video.ibm.com/embed/recorded/130976129

It is with shock and sadness that we announce the passing of Christine “Tina” Colistro on September 25, 2021. 

Right up until her passing, Tina fully embodied her roles as Mom, Granny, sister, and friend. She was a true individual - unique, colorful, kind, and wise. She was born in Port Said, Egypt in 1947, while her British father was employed as a Suez Canal pilot. At the age of nine, her family was forced to relocate to Britain with the commencement of the Suez Canal crisis. It was at this time that Tina began attending St. Swithuns boarding school in Winchester.  At school, she was passionate about acting, ballet, lacrosse, gymnastics and tennis. After graduating, she went on to complete a degree in Nutrition at Queens College, University of London, and then secured a position with British Gas, demonstrating and testing gas ovens. It was at that time, while living with her sister in London, that her path crossed with Vincent Colistro. They married in England in 1975 and shortly after moved to Vincent’s native Canada.

Vincent and Tina soon settled in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. Tina, an avid reader, started working at the Humboldt Reid-Thompson Public Library, first as a library assistant and eventually as branch librarian. Besides her work life, Tina was a truly devoted mother to Faye and Beth. She sewed dance costumes, put on imaginative kids’ parties, baked, gardened, played, and nurtured her family.

In her last couple of decades, Tina lived with Vincent in Saskatoon, and continued her library work until her retirement from the Frances Morrison library in 2009. Her family grew to include five well-loved grandchildren. With the first, Kya, Tina became “Granny”, and it is as Granny that we think of her now. Her grandchildren were blessed to be the beneficiaries of her love, teachings and infectious energy. 

Tina was an accomplished gardener, and worked tirelessly tending to her plants and vegetables. She enjoyed eating and cooking good food, knitting, travel and the companionship of her dogs. She has always been a committed member of the Anglican church, the last 25 years as a much involved parishioner at St. John’s Cathedral.

Tina was predeceased by her soulmate and husband, Vincent Colistro, 18 months ago. Also predeceasing her are her parents Ronald and Betty Freaker. Left to cherish her memory are her sister, Dr. Devena Freaker, daughters Faye (Chad) Georget and Beth (Lucas) Richert, grandchildren Kya, Nate and Livia Georget, and Oscar and Lucy Richert, nephew Daniel Freaker, and many other beloved relatives and friends.

Tina’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, October 2nd at 1pm at St. John’s Cathedral, 816 Spadina Crescent. For those who prefer to join us remotely, or who are not able to be with us in person, the service will be livestreamed (The link will be available here at the top of Tina's tribute page. 

Those wishing to make a donation in Tina’s name, can do so to the Meewasin Valley Authority, an organization very close to her heart.