Obituary of Maria Apollonio

APOLLONIO- MARIA (Nee Chiarappa)

Devoted wife, mother, and grandmother/great grandmother

Maria Apollonio, 100 yrs, passed away peacefully with her loving family at her side on March 7, 2025. Maria was born November 6th, 1924 in Toritto, Bari, Italy to late parents Francesco and Rosa Chiarappa. Maria married late husband Francesco Paolo Apollonio February 1st 1947. She is loved by all of her family across Canada, Michigan, USA, and in France as well as in Italy.

Never have we ever met a woman so selfless who worked so hard for her husband and children, even so much as to move her whole family across the world to find better opportunities and enjoy life. Our idol survived World War II and moved her family from Italy, through France to then establish and lay down roots in Canada. We will miss those memory-filled Christmases as a family where we all got together and shared great food, music, laughter, and 2 am loud talks around the dinner table with our espresso and pastries.

Together Maria and Francesco were blessed with 10 children, Michael (Sharon) Apollonio, Josephine (Vince) Mancina, Lucia (late Albert Vince) Deluzio, Rose (Brent) Paisley, predeceased by Luigina Apollonio (baby), Oronzo Apollonio, Phil (Mimi) Apollonio, Tony (Marita ) Apollonio , Anna (Pasquale ) Sicolo and to a special son Ian (Mel) Wilcox.

She was an adored Mémé and Nonna to all her Grandchildren, Michael and Christina Apollonio, Kassandra (Andrew) Thomson, Tatyanna (Calvin) Mancina, Grazietta (Scott) Doe, Tiara (De’Armond) Davis, Alexandria Paisley (Johnathon), Aydan and Brent Jr. Paisley, Daniella Servin, Francesca (David Hall) Apollonio, Antonio (Rachel) Apollonio, Katie (Jerry) Wills, Grace(Brian) Gianotti, Michael(Bree) Sicolo, Mary Colarossi (Andre), Frank Paul( Vive) Apollonio, Giancarlo Apollonio .

She was also a loving Great Grandmother/Bisnonna to 30 great grandchildren. Maria will be especially remembered for always welcoming everyone with open arms, providing nothing but love and delicious Italian food to any and all who were visiting, even if you weren’t hungry, she would always insist you eat “mangia, mangia”. To the very special and wonderful long-time neighbors and friends considered family, a heartfelt thank you goes out to Giovanna, Enrico and their daughter Silvana Pagliarella for their continuous love and care over Maria and the Apollonio family. Giovanna and Maria always prayed together as they were/are a very spiritual women and Maria often looked at Giovanna as her angel on earth.

Another special thank you to the adored Maria and Vince Distefano for all their love and support to our mamma. Special appreciation to Maria’s nurse Jen who was kind, compassionate and genuine, and always finding a way to make our mother’s day brighter. Distinct recognition to Dr. S. Bergeron from Hospice and the dedicated care of all members of the Hospice staff as well. Our family is truly grateful to all those who made Maria feel loved, understood, cared for and appreciated.

Visiting at the WINDSOR CHAPEL (Banwell Chapel) 11677 Tecumseh Rd E (519)253-7235 on Tuesday March 11, 2025 from 2 to 5 pm and 7 to 9 pm. Prayers Tuesday at 4:30pm. Funeral services on Wednesda,y March 12, 2025, at 10:30 am from the funeral home then to St. Anne Church for funeral mass at 11:00 am. Entombment Heavenly Rest Cemetery. As your expression of sympathy, donations may be made to In Honour of the Ones We Love.

Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared with Maria's family at www.windsorchapel.com