God called Maria peacefully on January 10, 2021 at the beautiful age of 91.
She is now reunited in Heaven with her loving husband Giuseppe (October 24, 1991). Cherished by her children Maria (Joe Di Roma)and Antonina (aka Nini), her dedicated caregiver. Proud grandmother to Joseph Anthony who she deeply adored.
Maria was pre-deceased by her parents Antonino Bisignano and Antonina Caffarelli, her brother Giuseppe, her son Francesco, and many predeceased family members. Maria will always be remembered by her sister Giuseppina Bisignano, niece Enza Rita (Salvatore), her sister-in-law Maria Bisignano, cousins, nephews /nieces and their families in Italy. In Canada she will be remembered by her brother-in-law Frank D’Assisi (Lina), many nephews/nieces and their families along with many friends and her ‘paesani’ from her beloved hometown of San Piero Patti, Pr. Messina, Italy.
Maria was born on September 5, 1929 in San Piero Patti , living with her parents and two younger siblings. She worked on the olive and hazelnut orchards. In September 1954, she married her beloved Giuseppe (Peppino) by proxy, she in her hometown and Peppino in Toronto and arrived in Canada on April 16, 1955 by ship. She began her new life as a wife and immigrant in her adopted country of Canada. In 1958, she was blessed with her first daughter Maria and then Nini in 1961. In October 1999, she became a doting grandmother to her grandson Joseph Anthony.
Her life was dedicated to her husband and children and her extended in-laws and their families as she adjusted to her new home. She will be remembered for always offering her help to others in need, her strength, her strong work ethics, her strong courage, tenacity, love of family, keeping long lasting friendships, her continued connection to family in Italy and remembering everyone’s birthdays. She was famous for her New Year’s Day family gatherings with her ‘cappone ‘ as the main course. She kept busy with her vegetable garden and shared her yield of vegetables with family and neighbours. Maria was always a leader that never ceased to amaze people as well as herself with the tasks she graciously conquered. She decided to get her drivers licence at age 52, with her brother-in-law Mike’s encouragement and proudly drove her red pick up to age 82.
In her later years, Maria continued to be a loving mother-in-law and grandmother . She was a woman who conquered many health challenges and only asked for ‘peace and good health’ in return and taught her children not to give up and always persevere with your dreams.
A very strong willed, sweet and kind woman with a vibrant smile, a good sense of humour, a loving nature, a good storyteller, a lullaby singer, and cherished friend who all enjoyed her company. She will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all her family and friends.
Many thanks to her caregivers, Dr. and Mrs. Teow for their support. A special thank you to Dr. Zorzitto and staff at St. Michael’s Hospital as well as Sunnybrook Hospital and Bridgepoint and St. John Rehab during her multi hospital admissions. Also, our family would like to thank the staff at Humber River Hospital for their outpouring of love and care within her final journey.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Maria can be made to St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation or Bridgepoint Foundation her homes away from home, or a charity of your choice.
Due to the capacity restrictions from the COVID provincial lockdown our family has decided to have a private funeral service and burial with immediate family members only on Monday, January 25, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Friends and relatives are welcomed to participate via Zoom:
us02web.zoom.us/j/86532260656?pwd=dFdPYXEveWEwbEVuYUR5K01zTHYwQT09
Following the service Maria will be laid to rest with her spouse at Prospect Cemetery.
Our family would like to thank everyone for your support during this difficult time.
Mamma and Nonna Maria, we love you and you will be forever in our hearts and deeply missed by all. Riposate in pace con Papa. (May you Rest In Peace with Papa).
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Maria Scolaro Bisignano Sunday January 10th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Toronto, Province: Ontario