Obituary of Maria DE LUCA

January 17, 1937 – Toronto, Ontario
October 15, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Maria Amalia De Luca (née De Petrillo) on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at the age of 83 years.

Maria was born in Toronto in 1937 to Guido and Josephine De Petrillo, pillars of the Italian immigrant community. Along with many other young Italian men, Guido sponsored Carmen De Luca’s arrival in Canada, not knowing that he was bringing a future husband over for his daughter.

Maria dedicated her life to her family, taking care of her children and, in later years, nursing her husband and both parents. But Maria did not reserve her loving nature solely for her family. She had the special ability to make everyone she met feel loved. She easily won over Patti’s family in Calgary, Matthias’ family in Germany and quickly made new friends at Amica and Evanston Summit when she moved to Calgary 6 years ago.

Maria was known for her boundless hospitality. Whether it was the relatives who frequently dropped in or her signature Christmas Eve feast, Maria always welcomed everyone with open arms and a table full of food and drink.

Her children will always be grateful for the sacrifices she and Carmen made to provide them with the foundation and moral fabric for successful and happy lives.

Maria passed away surrounded by her loving family: son Dino De Luca (Patti Simpson), daughter Marisa De Luca (Matthias Ohm) and brother Dr. Denny De Petrillo (Dr. Jennifer Blake). Maria’s three granddaughters, Erica (Matt), Monica (Brendan) and Sophia will miss their Nonna very much. Maria was predeceased by Carmen De Luca, her loving husband of fifty-two years.

The family wishes to thank the dedicated staff at Chinook Care Hospice who treated Maria with loving care and with great dignity at the end of her life.

Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Sunday October 18th, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. A private Graveside Service will take place at a later date at Assumption Cemetery in Mississauga, ON, where Maria will be laid to rest with her husband and parents. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations honouring Maria may be made directly to Ovarian Cancer Canada at https://ovariancanada.org. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Maria’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Maria De Luca, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.