Obituary of Maria Ada Rizzuti

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Maria Rizzuti, a wife, a mother, and a nonna. She passed away at the Agapé Manor Hospice after a lengthy illness on January 26, 2007, surrounded by her family. Maria was born on August 27, 1932, in Sartano, Cosenza, Italy. She married Francesco (Franco) Rizzuti in 1956, and she followed her husband to Calgary, Alberta, later that year. Maria was the cornerstone of her family and a woman of great strength and courage. She was also a very kind, compassionate, and generous woman. Although simple in her own ways, she will always be remembered for her generosity and the unconditional love she had for all her family and friends. Her greatest joys and pleasures were times spent with immediate family, especially her grandchildren, and in her home, whether it was gardening, cooking, or entertaining family and friends and ensuring that everyone was taken care of. Maria is lovingly remembered by her husband of fifty years, Franco; children, Angelo and Wendy (nee Deren), Guido and Maria (D’Alfonso), Mario and Marisa (nee Perrotta), and Tony and Carla (nee Torriero); her seven grandchildren, Angelina, Franco, Brianna, Andrea, Anthony, Robert, and Sabrina Rizzuti, all of Calgary. Maria is also survived by her niece, Ellena (Franco) DeCiancio, of Calgary; siblings, Vienna (Fernando) Giglio, of New York, Angelina and Lidia, of Italy; in-laws, Luigi Vigna, Rosa (Elmiro) Logullo, Angelino (Pina) Rizzuto, and Carolina (Franco) Trotta, all of Calgary, and Caterina Pitrelli, Elvera Pitrelli, Ida Trombino, and Maria DeRose, of Italy; as well as numerous nieces and nephews in Canada, U.S.A, and Italy. Maria was predeceased by her parents, Paolina and Francesco; brothers, Guido, Pasquale, and Gustavo; and her sister, Matilde. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Grace Italian and English Catholic Church (1714 – 14th Avenue N.E.) on Thursday, February 1, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Mausoleum. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Muscular Dystrophy Canada, in Honour of her children, Angelo and Mario, #300, 734 – 7 Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2P 3P8 Telephone: (403) 287 – 9127, www.muscles.ca, to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th St. N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca, or to the Agapé Hospice, 1302 – 8 Avenue N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1B8 Telephone: (403) 282-6588. The family would like to thank the staff at Agapé Manor Hospice, and Dr. J. DeBruyn, for the wonderful care that Maria received. Special thanks also to Dr. S. Sanders for his wonderful home visits, and the care that he provided to Maria for the last five and a half years. She may be gone, but she will forever remain in our hearts. In living memory of Maria Rizzuti, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.