Ingrid Elizabeth Grittani – 1957-2020
Ingrid passed away peacefully on November 13, 2020, following a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.
Loving wife of Gene, proud mother of Sarah (Marc) and Kristen, and adoring grandmother of Domenic, Ingrid’s greatest love and achievement will always be her family.
Born November 29, 1957 to Ursula and Fritz Solmsen, Ingrid was always a hard-working, industrious and strong woman. Growing up, Ingrid was an excellent student, dedicated swimmer and avid sewer. She was a caring sister to Mark and Karin (Charles), loving aunt to Michael, Matthew, Ryan, Madison and Katelyn, and great-aunt to Marco and Melo.
From the beginning of her career as a project manager in construction, Ingrid commanded the respect of her colleagues as one of few women on site. Throughout her decades in the industry, Ingrid maintained a strong reputation for diligence and dedication to her projects.
Though her career was a great source of pride for Ingrid, in the years following her diagnosis, Ingrid focused her dedication on her family and her fight. Determined as ever, Ingrid would run and practice yoga throughout her cancer treatments. She spent this time enjoying life with her friends, caring for her family and making memories. Ingrid loved traveling and adventures with her long-time friends Maria, Mark, Dianne and Brett, and summer days on Manitoulin Island and Friday night dinners with Hugh and Lisa.
When Ingrid’s grandson Domenic was born very early, she spent nearly every day of his three-month hospital stay lovingly and protectively by his side. Only leaving when she had to drive to Toronto for treatment, she often returned the same day to be with him and Sarah. The love that Ingrid had for Domenic will never, ever be forgotten.
Ingrid’s legacy and dedication to her family will be carried on through her loved ones as we all strive to live our lives by her example. She will be greatly missed but always remembered.
A celebration of life will take place at a later date. We welcome you to share condolences or fond memories of Ingrid on this website.
Those who choose to make a donation in memory of Ingrid can do so through Ovarian Cancer Canada or the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice. It was Ingrid’s wish that donations may also be directed to the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, a cause close to her heart.
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She touched so many. What a strong and determined person she was – she built such a lovely life, and such a wonderful family.
You’ll be so missed Ingrid, I’m so grateful to have your amazing daughter as a constant in my life. Love, always.
Deep sadness and heavy heart
Wonderful person and family!
The Taylor’s will miss Ingrid often. Our hearts are sad, but all the great times past will help us through. This fantastic slid show made us both smile and tear up. We are always here for Ingrid’s beautiful family, whatever you need. We love you all.
Dianne & Brett
Good morning Brett,
Really sad news about Ing
How are you guys doing?……
Been trying to get Gene’s number and been trying everywhere. I only have his old one I guess
Can you send me when you get a chance.
This certainly sucks…
Tks,
Marty
Ingrid’s love for her family and her absolute devotion to her grandson Domenic was both unmistakable and inspiring, and a testament to the wonderful person she was. I am grateful to have had the chance to meet her. We are keeping the Grittani family in our thoughts.
Ingrid was a shining example of what a women could be – intensely passionate about her career while providing a loving and nurturing home for her family. She was someone I looked up to throughout middle and high school, knowing that with a supportive family, we could have it all.
Ingrid, you and Gene raised two incredible women whose intelligence, kindness and humour are a testament to the mother you are and always will be. Thank you for bringing Sarah and Kirsten into our lives, you live through them.
xo
Elissa, Adam and Fergus
I am utterly heartbroken for her family…. sending strength and courage to get through this great and terrible sorrow. She was far too young…
We will miss you deeply. So many memories of laughter, adventures and travel. You shaking your head at the Lucy’s and we knowing that deep down you were laughing too!!
The courage and strength you showed over the past few years was awe-inspiring. So many moments we watched you in admiration for the fight that was within you and your love of new adventures; burning rubber on the scooter, jumping from a plane, riding a camel , bartering in the souk, holding on for dear life while Gene took the corner on two wheels, just to name a few.
We will keep our promise to you and keep your family as our own!!
You have been taken from us far too soon our dear friend but your beautiful memory will live on in us forever and you will always always hold a very special place in our hearts.
I always cherished my time spent in the Grittani household, catching up with Ingrid and Eugene in the living room, rolling around on the carpet with Harley. Ingrid always calm, witty and kind. The Grittani’s are a special crew, and Ingrid is a big part of that. Her spirit lives on in all of you. Love to you all.
So sorry to hear of your families loss.
Ingrid was a wonderful lady and will greatly be missed
So sorry to hear this sad news. Ingrid was wonderful and a great mentor to many. I truly enjoyed my time working with her. She always had a great smile and worked tirelessly. She was absolutely just one of the very best. My sincere condolences to all of her family and friends.
My sincere condolences to Gene and the whole family.
In her work Ingrid was an early trail blazer, a consummate professional, and a role model and mentor to many.
She was as passionate as meticulous about her work and cared deeply about those around her.
She will be fondly remembered by her other family at Daniels.
I am going to miss Ingrid dearly. She was such a hard working a driven woman who I learned a lot from. While I know as a work family we all cared for each other, her family with Gene and her girls were most precious to her. Hearing about the unconditional love and strength she found in Domenic was beautiful and I pray that she finds eternal peace
My condolences to Gene, Kristen, Sarah and all her family and friends.
I was truly blessed for having known her
I am saddened over the loss of an incredibly driven and hard working woman, a loving mother and devoted wife. Ingrid raised incredible women with Gene and she will live on in Sarah, Kristen, Domenic, Gene and the rest of her family and her legacy won’t be forgotten.
I am heartbroken to hear what Ingrid had to go through. She was so spirited and strong all the years I knew her. With loving prayers and condolences to Gene, Sarah and Kristen.
I was always welcomed warmly into the Grittani home and I fondly remember Ingrid’s kindness, and Sarah being so proud of her mum’s drive in her career, which was inspiring for me. Ingrid was a strong woman, which is so core to who her daughters are. My condolences and love to the Grittani family.
We are so sorry for your loss and are heartbroken with this news.
The heroic efforts in which Ingrid and her family have fought this terrible disease since 2017 has been incredible. The picture of Kristen and Ingrid with their middle fingers up sums it up best… Fuc# Cancer! Ingrid’s passion for life and taking each day in stride since her diagnosis was truly inspirational, and that fight allowed her more precious time to spend with her grandson and her family (and all of us) . Ingrid, you definitely deserve to rest now.
The Grittani Family has been in our lives since we first moved into our home in 1997. Larah, Kristen and Sarah were only two doors apart and going to the same schools. It was easy to get to know Ingrid and Gene from day one. Many holiday events were celebrated together over the years and we would each, on a moment’s notice call each other and meet for a BBQ in someone’s backyard. Gene and Lisa always steered the conversation to more fun things and Ingrid and I (Hugh) were the more serious ones discussing construction work things and trying to keep Lisa/Gene conversations from always deteriorating into toilet talk.
Our many summer trips to Manitoulin and Friday nights (when they were not out with their other “friends” as Sarah would often tell us….) were great fun and filled with so many wonderful memories
Friday nights were typically a debrief on how crazy the week was in our work lives and what world event was occurring at that moment in time. The first thing which got debated on a Friday night was always….where are we going for dinner (Swiss, Mamma’s, Pizza, Dundas, Kingsway Fish & Chips, Momiji, Apache, Thai, Chinese, etc, and if it should be cheap and cheerful, comfort food or fancy…you name it, we debated it and we ate there over the years). Dinners were often followed by more fun drives to look at Christmas lights or drives to Tom’s Dairy Freeze (for soft ice cream) or drives to look at the latest real estate home for sale in our neighbourhood, with us all saying, how can the prices keep going up…for 20 years). One really memorable drive after a dinner was to Toys’R Us… to pick up Dr. Nefario’s fart gun for Hugh’s work Halloween costume. Ingrid and Lisa almost got kicked out of the store sampling the various farts behind a man in line. So many great memories and laughs we will always cherish and look back on.
Summer brought Manitoulin Island, and always great times when Ingrid and Gene came to visit. Ingrid was always just thrilled to sit on the porch, look at the view and rest (and maybe read the latest trashy tabloid magazine). We had so many great memories together at our favorite restaurant – The School House. (Ingrid I think had her favourite parmesan stuffed chicken dish for 15 years straight). There were hilarious other times with the Anchor Inn screen door which we sat beside and listened to it slamming throughout our dinner. We asked the waitress if we could leave the door propped open or move to another table… she said to us… “you get what you get”. On the way out, when Gene and I were settling up the bill, Lisa and Ingrid left and slammed the door really hard (almost knocking it off its hinges) and we could hear them say.. “You get what you get”…… I can still hear Gene’s uproarious laugh as Ingrid and Lisa sashayed across the street with great satisfaction!.
There were also many trips to the Kagawong Chocolate shop, where I think Ingrid always bought out the entire chocolate dipped licorice or snowballs stock. There were many fun boat rides, shore lunches, swims at the cove and Pearly Island with our families. Ingrid and Lisa always took off sometimes to explore the island, stop for fries, or go to Hettman’s (silver jewelry studio) by themselves, calling themselves “Thelma and Louise” and getting lost on Manitoulin country roads. They always had a great time and many stories upon their return.
So, so many great times with Ingrid. A special person and she will always remain in our hearts. (and we can see by all of the photos she touched many other lives).
Gene and Family, you are part of our family and we are here for you, whatever you need!
Lisa and Hugh
XOXO
I am going to miss Ingrid very much.
She was an amazing woman, who I really truly enjoyed working with.
My sincere condolences to the Grittani family.
Dave
Gene I feel so sad for you and the girls. I really only got to know Ingrid through the years of her illness but she was always such a lovely lady with a great determination to beat this awful illness, and fight she did, especially when she became a Grandmother.
I have lovely memories of the night we went to dinner with our neighbours organized (of course by the lovely Lisa) Ingrid was so happy. Wish we could all repeat that evening.
Ingrid fought so hard and I am so sorry to hear she lost her fight.
Again, Gene, Sarah and Kirsten sorry for your loss. Stay safe, lots of love to you all,
Joan and Jerry
We knew Ingrid for way too short a period. Such a nice person who raised a remarkable, loving and fun-loving family. The photos on the website tell so much about her. We miss her and offer sincere condolences.
We are saddened to hear of your very deep loss.
Our hearts go out to all the family and extended family.
The photos show a story of Ingrid loving her family.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers, particularly Marc and Sarah and Domenic. Keep her memories in your thoughts and minds. We were very touched to know how much time Grandma Ingrid spent at the hospital rallying and championing him to be a strong, healthy resilient beautiful boy. Thoughts and prayers for everyone.
Gene, Mike and I are surrounding you and the children with love and prayers during this difficult time.
We are deeply saddened to hear of Ingrid’s passing
We will keep you close in our hearts
Cheryl and Mike
My condolences to you and your family Sarah. Your mother’s love for her family and zest for life is so evident in those beautiful memories. You are in my thoughts.
Dear Sarah and Marc
Such sad and heartbreaking news. Thank you for sharing photos and that absolutely wonderful moment captured with Domenic. One that will be Domenic’s favourite.
Joseph said it best when he quoted Carl Sagan – ‘ If we think of the tens of billions of people who have lived on earth, at different times and in different places, and then the people we have known well, then the people we liked, and those we have loved, relatively speaking, it’s a very small but precious group of people. Now when you think of all the places and times and people Ingrid could have ended up with – to our good fortune, she ended up in our small group of loved and cherished people in our time and our place. And for that, we will be forever grateful’. She will be forever missed but never forgotten.
Love Pierrette XX
Gene and family my condolences. My prayers and thoughts are with you all during this difficult time! May you find peace in knowing Ingrid will be with every step of the way.
So sad to learn of Ingrids passing. She was a cherished childhood friend . Although we lost touch after University I am blessed to have wonderful memories of us growing up together. Your family pictures show your own wonderful memories from which to draw strength. Condolences to all the family.
Phyllis Blair
My deepest condolences to the Grittani family. It was a pleasure and honor to have worked with Ingrid. A true and caring professional .
We were so very sorry to hear of Ingrid’s passing. She was a wonderful woman and we feel so lucky to have known her. She was so strong and inspiring, you can see so many happy moments in these photos and how hard she fought. We are thinking of you all and remembering her. Lots of love to all of you and biggest hugs to Kristen, we’re here whenever you’re ready.
Larah, Tony, Violet and Beaux
My condolences to Gene and family. Was saddened to hear of Ingrids passing, and may her memory be a source of inspiration and strength for all of you. God bless.
My sincere condolences to the Grittani family, especially to Sarah and Kristen whom I have got to know from early morning chats with Ingrid in her years working with Daniels. She is deeply proud of her two beautiful and strong daughters.
I am truly blessed to have worked with her and learned so much from her.
Rest in peace.
Miss you!
Dear Gene, Sarah and Kristen,
I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of Ingrid, your beloved wife and mother. I can’t imagine the sadness you’re feeling, but from the beautiful pictures above, I can see you’ll all have many sweet and very fond memories of her warmth, her smile, her love for her family that will bring you comfort, and a deep knowing that she’ll always be with you, just in another form.
My deepest condolences and thoughts are with you all.
Love,
Adrianne Grittani
We were lucky to meet Ingrid and Gene through our mutual friends, Mark, Maria, Brett and Dianne, and enjoyed several trips and social get-togethers with them and many fun times with just Ingrid and “the ladies”. Ingrid never wasted time complaining, but instead made the most of every day. We’ll always remember the group motorcycle trips and other adventures we shared (car rally, snowmobiling on a VERY cold winter weekend to name a few!). She will be missed and always remembered with a tear and a smile!
Dear Gene & family…
I’m so very sorry to hear of Ingrid’s passing.
She fought a long, hard battle. All of the comments written in here , certainly describe what an outstanding , stoic woman and brave warrior she was.
May all the wonderful memories and times you all shared together with her over the years; continue to fill your hearts with love and bring you peace.
My deepest condolences ,
Anna ( Anita’s Cousin)
Sincerest condolences to the family.
Ingrid was a great person and she will be missed.
Gene, Kristen and Sarah,
We were all so sorry to hear of Ingrid’s passing. Please accept our deepest condolences and know our thoughts are with you all.
Heidi and Steve Allmen
Dear Gene, Sarah and Kristen,
What a lovely collection of photos and memories you all shared.
I can tell she lived a wonderful accomplished life.
I am so sorry for seeing this news of Ingrid’s passing.
May she Rest In Peace.
I am thinking of you all at this time.
Stay strong!
Carlie
So sorry to hear about Ingrid. Along with Phyllis, the three of us we were a part of the old Floradale gang. Through the intervening years we travelled different directions, but Ingrid`s contagious smile remained, and will continue to remain, a source of inspiration. Our condolences to the Grittani and Solmsen families.
Kristi Gibb
Dear Gene, Sarah and Kristen,
We are so sad to hear about Ingrid. It was so nice getting to know your family over the years. We missed you when you moved. We have lots of fond memories and keep you and your family in our prayers.
Frank, Angie and Francesco
We will always remember Ingrid. She was such a special lady. Caring, Gentle and Kind. So proud to call you our cousin. You will always be an inspiration. Domenic was so very lucky to have had you in his life. Ingrid Bless you, and you will Never Ever be forgotten. Gene, Sara Marc Kristen and Baby Dom. The Beautiful memories of this Amazing Wife, Mom and Grandmother will live in your Hearts forever. John and Patty Thompson and Families…..💔