Maria Marisa Sperandio

In Canada, Maria is survived by daughter Mara (Ian MacLean), grandson Nicolas MacLean, son Rick (Mary-Anne). She was predeceased by her husband Luigi in 2020. In Europe, Maria is survived by her younger sisters Ada in Bolzano, Italy and Mirella in Lecce, Italy, along with many nieces and nephews in Switzerland, Italy and Spain. She was predeceased by her brother Luigino, parents Giuseppe and Valeria (Pandolfi).

In Bolzano Maria met Luigi in 1950 and they married in 1952. Their first child Mara was born in 1954. In 1957 Maria, with daughter Mara undertook the long journey from Venice by sea to Canada arriving in Halifax, travelling across Canada by train to Vancouver to meet up with husband Luigi, and then yet another sea trip to South Bentinck B.C. Their son Rick was born in 1958 in Ocean Falls, B.C. In 1963 the family moved to Terrace, B.C. Luigi opened his own store Kalum Electric in 1966 with much help from Maria. She did tailoring for clients, sold appliances in the store, kept the books and maintained the household. Doing well in their business enabled travel to many interesting places and trips to Italy and Switzerland to visit relatives. In 1988 Maria and Luigi retired to Abbotsford and lived there happily, joining St. Ann’s Parish, Knights of Columbus, the Trentino-Alto Adige Cultural Society, going to Canucks games and tending to their large garden.

Sadly, with the onset of dementia Maria’s health declined and she moved to New Vista Care Home, Burnaby in August 2017. She was very well cared for in her last years.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hendersonsabbotsfordfunerals.com for the Sperandio family.