Obituary of Maria Ianni

March 27, 1940 - Cittaducale, Rieti, Italy

March 16, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Maria Ianni (nee Caroselli) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at the age of 81.

Maria Caroselli was born in Cittaducale, Province of Rieti, Italy, to Odoacre and Concetta (nee Olivieri) Caroselli. Maria had an older brother, Santino of Rome, Italy and a younger sister, Laura (nee Sorrentino) of Poggio Mirteto, Italy (deceased). After numerous letters and correspondence, Maria met the man of her dreams, Angelo. A dashing young man working in Toronto, whom a work friend had shared a picture of Maria with when he had visited Cittaducale to meet his future wife. The rest is history. Upon seeing her pictures, Angelo exclaimed, “I want to marry this woman. She is beautiful.” He flew to Cittaducale and met with Maria’s parents. The whole town was buzzing with the news. An American, not a Canadian, as he was labelled, was coming to meet Maria. When Angelo saw her, he immediately whispered, “I want to marry you.” A young Maria was embarrassed not knowing what to answer. She asked her mom whom she confided and trusted with all her heart. Mom told young Maria, “He seems like such a nice, kind man, and he will take care of you, I know it.” Maria accepted and joined hands with Angelo in matrimony in 1955. Shortly after their marriage, they immigrated to Toronto and their first child, Roberto, was born. Not long after their son's birth, Maria missed her family deeply and longed to go back home to Italy. Angelo, witnessing an unhappy young wife, agreed to go back and live there. The move seemed ideal. Maria was renewed once again seeing her mom, dad and two siblings. They too were elated to see their young daughter, along with her newborn son, their first grandchild. Roberto was adored by the family, especially nonna Concetta, who brought him everywhere she went. Maria seemed to be better in Italy and soon Angelo began venturing into business. He opened his first cafe, called Bar Aurora, in Rieti. Things were looking well and after establishing the business, they were able to buy their first home, just inside the Rieti city limits, on a beautiful road to Mount Terminillo, a local ski resort. A month before Roberto reached the age of two, Marcello was born, a second son. Life was getting good. Maria was content with everything that was evolving. Angelo focused on providing for the family and Maria was busy with her two young sons. She also helped Angelo at the cafe whenever she could. They worked well together, and happiness showered their life. Oddly, no more children came to Maria during these times. Almost nine years had passed after the birth of their second son, when Maria gave birth to a daughter, Manuela. After dealing with two boys, Manuela was a welcome relief from the rambunctious boys. Maria and Angelo welcomed their new daughter with gratitude. Life continued to be well. Angelo's business was prospering, and things looked promising. Angelo was able to purchase a new vehicle from Germany, “The Opel” was a new model just released and they were one of the first recipients of the vehicle. Throughout this euphoria, Maria saw glimpses of success manifest before her eyes. She never dreamed of this fairytale story happening in such a short time. Angelo made many business acquaintances and people were beginning to call him, Signor Angelo. From humble beginnings, these are stories other people experience and not them. For Maria and Angelo, family was still at the core. Numerous visits to the in-laws, Attilio and Rosina Ianni, who lived in a village of seventy people. They shared their success with all family members. They never went on trips or vacations, but rather opting to spend time with family and visiting all the relatives was at the center of their love. Just as fast as they tasted success, darkness came in like a storm. Angelo invested in some electronic machines, on the advice of a close friend/businessman, and lost everything. Not knowing where to turn, Maria nurturing three young children, Angelo thought it best to return to Canada and start fresh. Borrowing some money from one of his sisters to pay for the flight, the move proved to be worthy. Maria was anxious once again to leave family behind. Now, almost twenty-five, she was more mature and trusted her husband deeply and his endeavours. They arrived in Toronto in 1968, they lived with Angelo's brother, Erminio, in a small bungalow in midtown. Angelo began working for a big conglomerate, Olympia and York, and soon was made supervisor of a construction site. Maria stayed home and continued to be a homemaker and mother to her three children. By this time, they realized what their roles in life entailed. Two years after arriving in Toronto, Maurizio, their fourth child was born. Maria was now all-in with her children. Oftentimes she wondered if going back to Italy would ever be an option again. Angelo became a master of navigating through challenges and finding positive outcomes. He seemed to provide for his family continuously. We all sensed he was in control and confident of his ability to take good care of us. He was living up to his mother-in-law’s hunch. Never let them down. A couple of years more passed by and their fifth and final child was born. A fourth son, Luciano. They settled in different parts of Toronto and after buying and selling numerous homes, Angelo was able to build his dream home in Malton, northwest of Toronto. Together, they managed to take a couple of trips back to Italy and Maria was satisfied. When the two oldest children decided to move to Calgary, Maria and Angelo were heartbroken. A short time after, they sold the home of their dreams and pursued their children. This was the epitome of the love they shared for their children. Maria saw Calgary as being very cold and desolate, further away from relatives and family. She became saddened and somewhat depressed by the fact. Maria trusted her man and stood by his side all along. They shared forty-four years together, before a disease ended his life in 1999. Maria, chaste and virtuous, from her grassroots, remained faithful to her husband and family until her last breath. Calgary was her last home. Maria will be missed tremendously.

Maria is survived by five children, Roberto, Manuela, Maurizio, all of Calgary, Luciano of Edmonton, and Marcello of Windsor. Maria is also survived by brother Santino of Italy, son-in-law Frank of Calgary, sister-in-law Ruth and brother-in-law Rico, both of Toronto. Maria is survived by two daughters-in-law, Marites of Windsor, Maria of Edmonton; and ex-daughters-in-law, Maria of Aylmer, and Krista of NL; twelve grandchildren, Marcello Jr., and Christina both of St. Thomas, Daniel, and Cassandra both of Calgary, Alessandra, and Christina both of Edmonton, Makayla of NL, and David, Kyle, Stephen, and Summer all of Windsor. Maria is survived by three great-grandchildren, Kiersten, and Ashton of London, ON, and Madilynn of St. Thomas. Maria is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and friends in Canada, USA, and Italy. Maria was predeceased by her husband Angelo, parents, Odoacre and Concetta; sister Laura, sisters-in-law, Flora, Filomena, and Lauretta all of Toronto; Adriana of Italy, brothers-in-law, Antonio, Erminio, and Dante all of Toronto; Franco Sorrentino of Italy, and grandson Michael of Calgary.

A Funeral Service will be held on, Monday, March 28, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mrs. Ianni’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories, and pictures may be shared here. Thank you all for paying tribute to a wonderful, beautiful, and honourable mother, daughter, sister, wife, and friend.

In living memory of Maria Ianni, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

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