ROSSI, Maria

MARIA ROSSI 1930 – 2023 Mrs. Maria Rossi of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. Vincenzo Rossi † , passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the age of 93 years.
Maria was born in Grimaldi Cosenza in Calabria to Ottavio and Giuseppina (Saccomanno) Peluso.
She was the eldest of 5 daughters Maria (Vincenzo † ), Rosina (Mario † ) Tarsitano, Silvia (Florindo) Filice, Lina (Raffaele) Vercillo, Franca (Alfredo †) DeBartolo. Her siblings all resided in Toronto.
Maria and her sisters were raised in the neighborhood they called the “Bannicedda”. She was introduced to hard labors of love raising her four sisters who called her mom. Their Father was at war for several years, and a prisoner of war for 5 of those years. Their mother tended to other means to provide for her family and clean.
Maria spent much of her time at the convent at the Church of San Antonio at the top of her street where she often rang the church bell. The Nuns took Maria in at a very small age, teaching her embroidery, crochet and sewing for matrimonial dowries and for the church or whoever requested her skills.
She came to Canada via Halifax in 1952 to Toronto Ontario where she resided with her father and sister Rosina until the rest could join them in Canada. That is where she married Vincenzo. They later moved to British Columbia where they had their three daughters then moved to Lethbridge.
Maria spent a lifetime at her skill of sewing, sewing out of her home for many, sewing for theater productions, and her designer barbie clothes she made from scraps. She never even needed a pattern; she was a true master and designer. She worked for Shirley Wilson at Imperial fashion for 25 years where she also made some great friendships. She truly enjoyed them!
She travelled across Europe with friends and family, took numerous trips to the USA and Toronto, and loved to go on Italian picnics. Maria had pride in her home and enjoyed a big garden and surrounded herself with her family. She loved her neighborhood and dearest of friends, some of whom she considered her sisters, and some considered her a mother.
She was a true homemaker, a fantastic baker, and an amazing cook, true Calabrese style! She would begin early in the day, after she got home from work, and late into the evening, and during retirement she was always cooking or baking. She would be on her phone with family or friends always talking about food and recipes. You could often walk in into the kitchen and find her teaching or making traditional Italian goodies with her friends Her home “the gathering place”, is where everyone gathered for coffee, food, stories, consoling or laughter, especially in her back yard in the summer surrounded by her many beautiful flowers and sharing her vegetable garden in which she was most proud. Everyone was always welcome, and food was always ready. She always kept busy but would stop at times to watch Italian television or a cooking show.
She loved her grandchildren Jordan and Rikki so very much and always wished for them the sun and the moon. She will aways be near them “essere buono” . She was also an aunt to many nieces and nephews whom she loved greatly.
She is survived by her 3 daughters Ellie (Richard) Peters, Rose Rossi, Cenz Rossi (Curtis); grandson Jordan Peters (Darryl Sinclair) and granddaughter Rikki Peters with an abundance of much love and devotion she gave to them.
Held so very close to her heart are the Fiorino, Sirocchi and the Rossi families who are in Canada and the US by marriage. She was an honored God Mother to Lana (Atchison † ) Lukenda, Piera (Montello) Saler, Nikolina (Metallo) Potestio who resides in Grimaldi.
Maria was a member and contributor to the Canadian Italian Club and her Italian heritage and true to her faith. She was very close to her Italian community and the Italian families in Lethbridge including the Vercillo, Montello, Rose and Mauro families. She thought about everyone she knew with love and thoughtfulness.
She holds our hearts forever. We hold hers. When one loves with their soul they are never lost.
ti ameremo sempre, ti terremo nei nostril cuori per sempre Riposa in pace Mom e Grazie di tutto A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 12 AVE SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta with Father Derek Remus, celebrant. To watch the service via livestream, please go to www.tikilive.com/channel/allsaintsparish
Flowers are gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the Arthritis society / Dementia Society or Charity of your choice.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Ellie Peters for the care and attention she gave our mother through the years due to her illness, it was greatly appreciated.
Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.