Passed away at Trillium Health Centre, Mississauga on Friday, April 19, 2024 at the age of 88. Beloved wife of the late Romano. Loving mother of Ingrid, Doris (Tom), and Frank (Suzanne). Much loved grandmother of Briana, Evan, Conner, and the late Braden, and great grandmother of Oakley.

Maria was born in 1935 in Italy to Ivan and Veronica Bertetti and then immigrated to Toronto as a newlywed in 1960, where she and Romano settled and raised their family.

Maria was a talented seamstress, having made numerous garments for her family over the years, as well as having worked at Lipton’s retail clothing company.

At home, she enjoyed gardening and cooking for her family and friends, often using vegetables from her garden, especially her glorious tomatoes.

Although very independent, she loved nothing more than when her family came to visit and readily enjoyed playing the card game briscola.

Maria loved music – she was a regular concertgoer to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and never passed up an opportunity to dance a waltz.

She will be greatly missed.

Friends may call at the Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor St. W., on Friday, April 26, 2024 from 2 – 4 and 6 – 8 p.m. Funeral Mass to be held at Our Lady of Peace Church, 3914 Bloor Street West, Toronto, on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. Following a private entombment, the family welcomes friends to visit for light refreshments at the Turner & Porter Butler Chapel, 4933 Dundas Street West, from 1 – 2:30 pm. For those who wish, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation, both were charities that Maria Supported.