Mrs. Maria Bonamin

January 26, 1937 - March 12, 2014

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother and Nonna, Maria Bonamin, on March 12th at the age of 77 years. Maria was predeceased by her husband, Augusto, in 1987; her parents, Angelo & Angela Zardo; her sister, Santina; and her granddaughter, Bianca. Mourning her loss are her children, Angelo (Maria) and Sonia (Giovanni). Nonna Mariuccia also leaves behind her five grandchildren, Kiana, Matteo, Cristina, Vanessa and Lorenzo, who will miss her dearly. Maria’s brothers and sisters all in Italy, Battista (Ottavina), Agnese (Amorino), Luigi, Lina (Cesare), and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family. Here in Canada, Maria leaves to mourn her brother-in-law, Bruno (Irma); nieces and nephew; and many close friends who will all miss her very much. Maria was born in Cittadella (“piccola ma bella”), Italy in 1937, the eldest of 6 children. Early life was difficult during the war. After the death of her father when Mamma was only 11, she left school early and started working to help support the family. Mamma met our Papa, Augusto, in 1961 in a whirlwind of a romance - she met and married him within three months. They immigrated to Canada in 1961 and started their family, settling in East Vancouver. After the death of Augusto in 1987, Mamma continued to live in the family home and upheld the tradition of the world famous Bonamin tomatoes. Despite her health issues, Mamma continued to tend the garden and was always so very proud of her vegetable and flower gardens. Her family and friends were always the gracious recipients of her labor, and we will miss her wonderful culinary creations. Maria was a devout Catholic and attended Mass at St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Nonna was most proud of her children and grandchildren and would do anything for them. She loved them all unconditionally and we will miss her so very much. The family would like to thank Father Donnelly for his spiritual support of Mamma over the last several years. We would also like to express our gratitude to Mamma’s medical team for their loving and compassionate care, especially Dr. Gore, Dr. Ignaszewski, Dr. Toma, Dr. Tung, nurse Catherine, and the rest of the staff at St. Paul’s Heart Function Clinic. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 20th at 10:00am at St. Jude’s Roman Catholic Parish & Shrine, 3078 Renfrew Street, Vancouver. Entombment will follow at the South Mausoleum of Ocean View Cemetery in Burnaby, BC. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Maria to the St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation, Heart Centre/Heart Function Clinic www.helpstpauls.com.