It is with deep sadness we report the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Maria leaves to mourn her beloved husband Emilio, her daughters Rossella (Kari), Claudia (Dwayne) and Irene (Tony), her sister Giuditta and her sister-in-laws, Teresa and Violet. She especially loved all her grandkids – Saverio, Stephan, Marissa (Nick), Christina, Cullen, Lacee, Alexia, Aurora and Caleb, as well as her great grandkids, Noah and Jack. Maria also had numerous nieces and nephews, and very close friends, all of whom will remember her simple joy of life and constant generosity. She was never the loudest voice in the room, but had the most spirit.

Maria was pre-deceased by her parents, Irene & Constante Bellizia, her sister Lidena, and her brothers Pasquale, Luigi and Calisto.

Maria was born in the small rural village of Carpineto Romano, Italy. She was one of 6 children, living in the mountains and growing up on the family property. Maria would often reminisce about the hard times of growing up during the war and how the family would live off of whatever crops the soldiers would leave for them, typically potato skins. Maria was very fond of her siblings, all of whom also immigrated to Canada, except for her sister Lidena. It was very important for Maria to keep close ties with her family throughout her life, particularly with her brothers Pasquale, Luigi and Calisto.

As a young lady Maria moved to Rome to work for a wealthy family doing domestic work where she met her beloved husband Emilio. He still remembers the day he first met Maria, the love of his life, at a local dance in Rome, as ”their eyes met across the room.” They courted for five years and were married on October 7, 1956 in Carpineto Romano. They settled in Roma where Rossella, Claudia and Irene were born before they immigrated to Williams Lake on September 29, 1966. The family moved to Kamloops in 1971.

Emilio and Maria arrived from Italy with nothing but some family connections in B.C.; through hard devoted work they made a happy and secure life for their family. Maria doted on her husband and daughters with her ever present innocence and young-at-heart outlook on life. She had an infectious giggle and saw fun in everything.

In the summer Maria would spend her days alongside Emilio, picking vegetables from their garden, pruning the fruit trees, and canning. Their cantina was always bulging at the seams, with a never ending supply of wine and home canning. Maria also enjoyed dancing with her husband, attending many dances and parties, and also throwing their own parties in their home for Christmas dinners. A special day for Maria was the day her grandson Stephan bought the home across the street, as this meant having him over for espresso daily.

Maria always looked forward to her outings. Whether it be just a quick trip to the “extra foods store”, to her daughters to get her hair done, an afternoon of bowling with brother Luigi, or a trip to the Casino aka “grocery shopping”.

Maria was a true fighter who met her illness with grace; she always put on a brave face to place others around her at ease. She beat lymphoma in 2016 and had been a resident of Ponderosa Lodge for the past 9 months where “Momma” regularly gave hugs and kisses to the care team. She could almost always be heard singing “Mama” through the halls of Ponderosa Lodge. She will be missed everyday by all who knew her.

Prayers for Maria will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at O.L.P.H. with reception to follow.

The family wishes to thank all of the doctors, nurses and care team members who took great care of mom while she was in Ponderosa and R.I.H. over the past 14 months.

Per sempre nei nostri cuori, sempre amato, mai di essere dimenticato

“Safe in the glow of your love,
Sent from the Heavens above.
Nothing can ever replace
The warmth of your tender embrace.”

Condolences may be expressed at www.myalternatives.ca

• Date : 2017-01-10
• Location : Kamloops, B.C.