Memories of Maria
Since learning of Maria’s passing I have been having a trip down memory lane of the times we had together. I have known Henry for about 50 years and remember when he left Hamilton to go west. On one of our subsequent conversations he said he had met someone. Didn’t talk a lot about her but I knew from what he did say I had to meet her. Then one day I learned he had moved to Waterloo along with Maria and as soon as I could I went to see them. I remember meeting Maria and Robert for the first time. She was shy but had an amazing smile and was very friendly and welcoming. We had many visits and then they moved to a house in Kitchener. There I learned Maria did not have a house, she had a home. She loved spending time in the kitchen cooking. I also saw the start of her decorating style and ensuring there was some of her Italian heritage present. And little plaques with family, life or cooking sayings. She has had such plaques in her kitchens ever since. To me they set the tone to her values.
Then they got married. Maria was so happy, so radiant and so lovely that day. I got to meet some of her relatives and friends from Italy. It was even more apparent that family was so important to her. Then before you knew it they moved again, to Nelson B.C.
It was many years before Bonnie and I got to Nelson to spend a few days with the DeZote family. It was as if you just saw Maria yesterday. Immediate conversion. Happy, friendly, entertaining and cooking. And so proud of her new home. Took us around Nelson and area and had a great time. Then again they were gone to Peachland. Again it was many years before I got to visit them again. When I did there again were the plaques, a beautiful home and more of her Italian heritage. I remember the fantastic garden behind the house. And the lovely deck where we would sit and talk and look at the lake. And she was absolutely beaming when she told me Robert was seeing someone and she was a lovely person, Stephanie. She hoped the two of them would get married someday, which she subsequently did. I remember talking to Robert about Stephanie and he displayed some of Maria’s shyness. And I learned Maria had incredible patience and stamina as she was working on jobs with Henry painting and wall papering.
Years passed and they moved to Edmonton. When I visited them there it was as if no time had passed. She was still the same Maria. Sitting in the kitchen chatting and getting caught up as Maria cooked.
Years again passed before they moved to Welland where I got to visit many times and meet more of Maria’s family. A nephew from Toronto and her sister from Italy to name a few. And Robert and Stephanie had 2 beautiful daughters and Maria was so happy and proud and full of love for her expanding family. You did not visit Maria without visiting family, eating and playing family games after dinner. She regaled me of stories of Sophia and Isabella, baking with them and spending every possible minute with the family. I also saw a new trait in Maria, bravery. She was incredibly brave and stoic in the face of her kidney disease, the dialysis and then the kidney transplant.
Maria loved Henry. The last time I saw her we were sitting at the dinner table and she came up behind Henry, put her arms around him and gave him a bid hug.
Thanks Maria for being the person you are
My deepest condolences to Henry and the family
Glen
