Obituary of Maria Costantini
COSTANTINI, Maria (nee Napoletano)
Maria, in her 87th year, is heavenly reunited with her loving husband Alfonso (2021) of 65 years on Friday, January 28, 2022 under the compassionate care at Henley House. They were blessed with six children, Valentino (Joyce), Marina (Rocco) Cirone, Anna (Rob) Graham, Patrizia Beam, Antonella (Chris), and Ivana.
Her joy was being Nonna to 11 grandchildren and 3 Step grandchildren. Alex (Lauren), Aliscia Costantini, Carlye (Jim) Morris, Daniel and Joseph Cirone, Kayla (Cameron) Wills, Jessica (Pat) Stewart, Mackenzie Graham, Kate (Justin) and Joel Beam, James John Inneo and step grandchildren, Bre McLaughlin, Tommy and Peter Rodgers.
Even greater joy was her nine great grandchildren, Violet and Jade Costantini, Lincoln Legere, Graeme, Caleb and Serafina Morris, Kinsley Wills, Evelyn and Finnley Stewart. They all brought so much joy and light to Maria’s recent darkness.
Survived by her brother, Bruno, sisters-in-law Delia, Carina and Maddelena all in Italy and sister-in-law Filomena in Canada. Predeceased by siblings Donato, Anselmo, Vincenzo and Pasqualina (Nicole) and brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Antoniette, Carmine (Erselia), Italia (Frank), Ferdinando and Maria Palma (Natalino).
Maria was a very proud member of Club Roma Ladies Auxiliary. She thoroughly enjoyed donating her time to various events, dinner dances and many other functions that helped promote the Italian culture she was so proud of.
She was a second mother to many, filled the house with smells of Sunday dinner, making magic from simple homegrown ingredients. There was always enough, and everyone was welcome. Maria was an amazing cook, making homemade pasta, sauces, meatballs and canning vegetables from their garden.
As a strong woman and first-generation immigrant, she demonstrated independence to her children. She taught her children to be financially independent by working outside of the home at St. David’s Canning Factory and the importance of education. Whether it was learning to drive, improving her English, crafting, sewing, and baking new things. For years she was a devoted fan of Days of our Lives, Young and the Restless and The Price is Right.
Maria was blessed to have her husband Alfonso take over the day-to-day tasks with the help of the staff from ParaMed, once she began to loose her vision and dementia began to develop. She moved to Henley House in May of 2020 and was treated with love, care and compassion. The family wishes to extend their thanks to all the staff at Henley House and ParaMed for all that you have done for Maria.
Maria’s last few years were not easy as dementia and blindness took hold, her family is grateful that Maria passed peacefully and that she is now free to dance with her loving husband.
Visitation will be held at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME, 585 Carlton St., St. Catharines, on Monday, January 31, 2022, from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Alfred Roman Catholic Church, 272 Vine St., St. Catharines, on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at 9:30 am. Entombment will follow at Victoria Lawn Cemetery. Those wishing to attend the Visitation and Funeral Mass must RSVP to the funeral home 905-937-4444 as capacity is limited. All guests must show proof of double Covid-19 vaccination to attend, including photo identification. All must wear a mask. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Alzheimer Society, CNIB – Niagara Chapter, Henley House or Niagara Children's Centre would be greatly appreciated.