Obituary of Maria Franco

It is with great sadness that the family of Maria Franco of Calgary announces the passing of our beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt and Nonna on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the age of 85 years. Maria was born in Sepino, Italy. She married the love of her life, Paolo on January 29, 1948. Maria and Paolo immigrated to Switzerland shortly after their marriage and then to Calgary in 1955. With her husband and son, they opened one of the first Italian Grocery stores in S.E. Calgary. There Maria met and helped many new Italian immigrants settle in Calgary. Once her family began to grow, Maria started working evenings as a caretaker with the Calgary Herald. Maria loved to cook large meals from scratch and crocheted many blankets for her family. Her home was always open to many relatives and family where she was happiest when everyone had lots of food to enjoy. Maria will be sadly missed by her husband of sixty one years, Paolo; her daughter Josephine (Tony) Sabelli; her sons Peter (Judie), Tony (Marina), and John (Cathy); her sister Rosa Tiberio; sister-in-law Annunziata Morrone; her brother-in-law Domenic Parente, all of Calgary; her sister-in-law Carmela Morrone of Medicine Hat; and her sister Concettta Ferrante of Sepino, Italy as well as her nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She also leaves to mourn her passing many special nieces and nephews and their children. Maria was predeceased by her son Joseph; her daughter Christina; her parents Antonio and Francesca Morrone; her sister Cristina Chiarizia; Giuseppina Arcari; Angiolina Parente; her brothers Giovanni and Pasquale Morrone and her brother-in-laws Guiseppe Tiberio, Cristino Arcari, Liberio Chiarizia, and Mariangelo Ferrante; and her nephew Bob Johnson. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) today, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Name Catholic Church (2223 – 34th Street S.W.) tomorrow, Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Mausoleum. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. The family wishes to give special thanks to all the staff of Unit 73 at Rockyview General Hospital. A very special thanks to Dr. G. Coppola and caregiver nurse Ann VanHerewedghe for all their help, support and encouragement. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca. In living memory of Maria Franco, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.