Maria Simone

It's with a great deal of sadness and a sense of release that we share the passing of Maria Simone, age 97, on August 1, 2026, at the Villa Leonardi Gambin, in Woodbridge, On. She had been suffering with pain, always with dignity and strength and at last she's at peace.

Maria was born on October 27, 1928 in Roccamorice, Italy, the second if six children born to Giuseppe and Anna Cafarelli.

She came to Canada in 1952 to join her husband, carrying her baby daughter. The young couple worked tirelessly to build a life for themselves and provide for their family. They started off living in Niagara Falls but moved to Toronto with their 3 children after 17 years.

Maria worked at a variety of jobs and spent her last 35 years working as a cook. She had resillience, strength and a wicked sense of humour that anchored her entire family. Family and friends (and often their friends) were always made welcome in her home where she'd whip up a multi-course meal in the blink of an eye. Though she always enjoyed working there was nothing more important to her than her home and family. Her alias should have been Maria in Motion. When not working, she'd be baking, gardening, making repairs, preserving meats, fruits and vegetables that she often went out and picked herself until she couldn't. To say nothing about tending to her kids, husband and later her grandchildren. Three of her four grandchildren moved in with Nonna for some part of their young adult lives. Their only obligation was to listen to her and take her advice which often time, when they did, it worked out well for them.

She is survived by her loving children: Liliana (Eric); Camillo; Linda and her cherished grandchildren: Alistair (Anne), Gillian (Steve), Tim (Brittany), A.J. (Erica), adored great grandchildren: William, Clara, Rubee, Henry and Linkin and her much loved brother Antonio (Rina).

She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 47 years, Salvatore, her parents, Anna and Giuseppe, her brother Biaso, sisters Luisa, Angela and Rosaria as well as her late daughter-in-law Traci She'll also be missed by extended family members and friends.

Thank you for the generous support the family has received from friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks donations to be made in Maria’s memory to Villa Leonardo Gambin or North York General Hospital