Obituary of MARIA D'ANTONIO (NEE ARDITA)

MARIA D'ANTONIO (NEE ARDITA) June 15, 1932 – October 8, 2020 It is with great sadness that our family and friends have lost our dearest and devoted wife, mother, nonna, bisnonna, zia and friends. Maria passed away at Grace Hospital on Thursday, October 8, 2020 after a sudden and short illness at the age of 88. Maria was born on June 15, 1932 in Messina, Sicily, predeceased by her late husband Giuseppe (Pippo) D’Antonio in September 2017. Maria leaves behind her three children, Agatino (Deanna) of BC, Pietra (Leonard) and Joe, her grandchildren, Justin (Brooklyn) of AB, Nicole (Mike), Paige (Ardee) of AB, Matthew, Dylan, Rachel and Messina, her great grandchildren, Tyson, Noah, Lucas and Hendrix. Maria is survived by her sisters, Elena, Ottavia, Romana and Marcella (Enzo) and predeceased by her brothers, Rosario and Salvatore Ardita. Maria married her beloved late husband by proxy in 1957 and immigrated to Winnipeg. Maria worked for over 32 years at Canada Packers in Winnipeg where she was devoted to making a life for her family. Her relentless hours spent preparing and cooking for the family was unprecedented within our Sicilian culture. Maria will be remembered as the “life of a party”, the person who spoke out of line and had this laugh that could only be hers. When you heard it, you knew she was in the room. Maria was a kind soul, had a huge heart and adored her children and grandchildren very much and including all of her numerous nieces and nephews. She was a very giving and generous person. For those that first met Maria, she had this infectious character. She was bright, full of laughter and completely accommodating. This small statured woman had such love and empathy for all. Her death has left a void in our lives, but her spirit continues to be amongst us and everyone she has touched during her life. A come and go viewing will take place on October 16, 2020 between 9-10AM at Cropo Funeral Chapel 1442 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Private service will follow at 10AM. Due to Covid restrictions service will be limited to immediate Family only. Entombment will follow in the Queen of Heaven Mausoleum where Maria will be laid to rest with her husband Giuseppe. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the www.COVID19 ResponseFund.org Maria will be forever cherished and sadly missed, but never forgotten. Riposa in Pace Mamma