Maria Da Costa

She was born to the late Idalina and Joao de Sousa, March 29, 1948, in Sao Miguel, Azores. Maria was the oldest of six siblings: Alice, Filomena, Esmerelda, John, and Laura. She immigrated to Canada in 1963. Maria worked many years in the garment industry before pursuing a college diploma in 1987 in the field of Early Childhood Education.

Maria married the late Jose Da Costa in 1968. Together they raised a family living in Toronto and some years in Sao Miguel Azores before returning to Toronto and eventually settling in Aurora. She is survived by her three sons: Paul (Lucia), Christopher (Amanda) and Alexander (Kasia). She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Michael, Dylan, Joey, Jaxon, Sydney, Julian, and Dominic. Maria was predeceased by her husband in 2021, her daughter Maria Alice (2010) and her son Joey (1976).

Maria was proud of her family and loved her family deeply. She had a special way of connecting with everyone she encountered, whether through work, personal life or with family. She touched the lives and hearts of many. She enriched the lives of many children and supported a lot of families as an Early Childhood Educator and through her participation in her parish community here and in Sao Miguel. Maria had a positive impact on so many lives and to many she was their guardian angel. Her love, kindness, faith, and compassion always came through and made everyone feel that they mattered.

Despite her battle with dementia and declining health, the core of who she was always remained, always telling us and those who cared for her how beautiful we were, how kind we were and saying, “I like you” and “I love you”. Maria leaves a legacy of love, faith, hope and compassion.

Maria was a lover of nature and appreciated the simple beauty around her. She was a devout Catholic. Virtues of love, faith and hope guided her life and through the most challenging times of loss, grief, and illness. Maria’s faith, courage, brave resolve, and optimism was and remains an inspiration to all who knew and loved her.

A Visitation for Maria will be held Sunday, January 22, 2023 from 2 - 5 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home, 530 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora, ON L4G6W8.

Funeral Mass will occur on Monday, January 23, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Of Grace Parish, 15347 Yonge St, Aurora, ON L4G1N7. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery.

Contributions in Maria's memory may be made to Alzheimer Society of York Region, https://alzheimer.ca/york/en.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ThompsonFH-Aurora.com for the da Costa family.