Obituary of Maria FICACCIO

July 2, 1928 – October 24, 2011 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Maria Ficaccio (nee Damiani) on October 24, 2011 at the age of 83 years. Maria was born in Sezze, Latina, Italy, one of seven children born to Lidano and Filomena Damiani. She immigrated to Calgary in 1958 where she married Aurelio. Maria worked as a seamstress and homemaker who enjoyed close relationships with her newly adopted family. Maria and Aurelio were blessed with the birth of their twins, Loris and Mauro, who would always be the focus and joy of her life. Maria then made her five grandchildren the centrepiece of her world. They represented to her everything that was beautiful in life and when they were all together they shared the happiness that is a true family. Our Sunday dinners together will be irreplaceable. Maria is survived by her children Mauro (Roberta) Ficaccio and Loris (Vinicio) Sciore and grandchildren Marco, Alyssa, Steven, Cassandra, and Sara. She is also survived by her siblings Ada Marcucci, Vincenzina (Quintino) Eramo, Leonardo (Pina) Damiani, Francesco (Ada) Damiani, Rossana (John) LaManna and by brothers and sisters-in-law Gina Damiani, Antonietta Masocco, Rico and Eda Ficaccio, and Elide Pietrocarlo, along with numerous nieces and nephews, friends and other extended family from Italy, Australia, and the U.S. Maria was predeceased by her husband Aurelio Ficaccio, her brother Vincenzo Damiani, brothers and sisters-in-law Gino Marcucci, Italo and Paolina Ficaccio, Elio Pietrocarlo, Costantino Masocco, Adamo and Semina Ficaccio, Nella and Remigio Volpi, Emilia and Luigi Belli, and Marietta and Giulio Palombi. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S, Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Grace Italian and English Catholic Church (1714 – 14th Avenue N.E.) on Friday, October 28, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Graveside service to follow at Queen’s Park Mausoleum. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff of the emergency unit of the Peter Lougheed Hospital, especially to nurse Kathy and Doctor Paul, as well as to the staff of Unit 43, for their patience and compassion. We do also wish to express our thanks to caregiver Gigi and the palliative care team. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Provincial Office, Sun Life Place, 710, 10123 – 99th Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3H1 Telephone: 1(866) 412-4222. In living memory of Maria Ficaccio, a tree will be planted at Big Hill Springs Park Cochrane by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.