Obituary of Maria D'Alfonso

The family announce the peaceful passing of their matriarch, Maria D’Alfonso, at the age of 85 on April 16th, 2023, at home. A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered.

Maria was born in a small town of San Nicandro, province of L’Aquila, Italy, to Evelina (1999) and Fioraldo Aloisio (1983) on December 18th in 1937. She was the eldest of three, sharing the love and attention of her parents along with, her sister Lina (2011) (Domenico D’Alfonso) and brother Adamo (2012) (Theresa Papillo).

Maria came to Canada in 1953, married her soulmate Gabriele whom she shared over 70 years, had their first daughter (Serina Kwasnicki), graduated from nursing along with having their second daughter (Liana who married Rosario Montaleone), began working and fulfilled over 30 years as an operating room ‘OR’ nurse being Dr. Kleider’s right-hand confidante at the formerly known hospital of I.O.D.E. Windsor Western now Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, and completed her family with their third pride and joy, a son (Marco who married Iolanda Laberi).

Following retirement, Maria enjoyed her many hobbies including sewing for Gina’s Custom Drapery; shoes and handbags with the opening of Classic Shoe Co. in Windsor and later expanded throughout Ontario; baking her delicious cookies not only for special occasions but also simply for everyday enjoyment; churning her soft boil tomato sauce for later jarring during the late summer months; hand kneading her homemade pasta doughs for her family dinners. All hobbies enjoyed during the spring and summer months of the year so that her and her husband could drive off to Florida, their second home, where they enjoyed the remaining fall/ winter months playing shuffleboard, shopping and dining with family and friends.

Maria beamed with pure love, joy, and excitement welcoming all six of her grandchildren: Nicole (Robert Trajkovski), Rachel (Joe Santarossa), Sonia Christie, Nina (Adam Pellarin), Camilla and Gabriel. Later to much admiration and affection with her nine great-grandchildren.

Maria enjoyed visiting family throughout various parts of Ontario, Canada, the USA, France and Italy all the while taking in the sounds of classical and opera music sipping one of many espressos and tasting pastries from visited areas always looking for ways to improve her own masterpieces. Family and friends were always right there to ask of her words of wisdom and or direction especially when it came to anything medical-related and possibly, if they were lucky, she shared her vaulted recipes. Maria taught us the significance of having deep simple consistent honest tried and true meaningful relationships; to not talk about what you don’t know; please and thank you ~ to use them often; love the soul of people, not their physical being ~ it is what is inside that matters; be kind to all; give from the little you have, expect nothing in return; be conscious of your words ~ they matter; wake up and be grateful for absolutely everything including the hard times. She will be tremendously missed by many near and dear nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins, and closest friends whom she loved like her own. Her intelligence, wisdom, and kindness will forever live in her family’s hearts.

A special heartfelt token of appreciation to Dr. Kimberly Silvaggio for her generosity, wonderful spirit, and her above and beyond attention and devotion to Maria always leaving her with immense ease and comfort. Thank you to the home care team from St. Elizabeth-Home Healthcare, and VON. We will forever be grateful for your dedication and drive to provide Maria with the utmost care and compassion, especially when the nurse-in-her came out.

If you so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Diabetes Association or Hospice Windsor would be appreciated by the family.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday April 19, 2023, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at WINDSOR CHAPEL (Central Chapel), 1700 Tecumseh Rd. E., Windsor, (519-253-7234) with parish prayers at 8:30 p.m. Friends and family are encouraged to join us for the funeral mass at St. Angela Merici Church at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday April 20, 2023. Final committal prayers and Entombment at Heavenly Rest Cemetery for Maria’s final resting place. Online condolences and cherished memories can be shared at www.windsorchapel.com

~ Whatever you do, give your best, as Maria did “I tried my best” – ‘Mama’, Maria D’Alfonso

To view Maria's Funeral Service, Please CLICK HERE.