Elizabeth (Liz) Cozzetto

Liz Cozzetto

Liz Cozzetto was my great-aunt, and I am blessed to have had the chance to learn from her, as she was a huge part of my up bringing and contributing to the person I am today.  Born into a first generation Italian family, with seven brothers and sisters, in the cold mining town of Michel-Natal, BC, (now Sparwood), Liz worked hard to overcome the barriers of being a woman in the early 1940’s. She worked in odd jobs: washing clothes for the local bachelors, waitressing at The Coffee Corner cafe, which was located next to Porco’s pool hall, peeling and canning fruit at The Cannery. Later on in life, she volunteered for the local senior associations, where she called Bingo and worked in the kitchen.

Liz always had a smile, showed kindness and loved making sure that those around her were cared for. She was coined the “Coffee Counter Cutie” to the Kelowna Packers hockey team.” They always searched for the waitress with the infectious smile. Even though she never had kids of her own, she sponsored many children in third world countries and raised those within her own family. 

A natural leader, Liz was a whiz in the kitchen, making up traditional meals, for not only family and friends, but also for the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club (KCIC) functions. She was known to have a long table full of meatballs and a spare bed covered in fresh pasta. On Sundays, you could smell the sauce from outside her house, stewing beginning at 7 am. Her home was always open to those in need of a fresh percolated coffee and a good chat. 

Liz Cozzetto has left her legacy in this community. She was on the Executive Council and the first female president of the KCIC. She created the first all female KCIC Council that included other strong, hard working women: Bianca Ianfrancesco, Pearl Ghini and Rosann Nanci.  Liz also contributed greatly to the club by working diligently to ensure the club had a hall, buying it from the Seniors Citizen’s Branch 76, which she was a member.  
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Liz is a true example of a strong woman with morals and who exemplified what it is to be a well respected woman.

Contributed by Francesca Pugliese Verges, great niece.