elevated GS49g May 27, 1951 – July 22, 2023
elevated GS49g Visitation
Monday July 31, 2023 2:00 – 4:00 pm & 6:00 -8:00 pm
elevated GS49g Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, ON, L3T 3Z6
elevated GS49g Funeral Mass
Tuesday August 1, 2023 at 10:30 am
elevated GS49g Chapel of St. Joseph- Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
elevated GS49g View Funeral Mass
elevated GS49g Entombment
elevated GS49g Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
elevated GS49g Obituary
elevated GS49g It is with great sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Maria Degli Angeli (nee Peligra), beloved mother, sister, zia and friend, who courageously fought a battle against cancer. She peacefully left us on July 22nd, 2023 at the age of 72. She was surrounded by her loving family during her final moments.
elevated GS49g Maria is predeceased by her husband Francesco (Tony) Degli Angeli (1946-1995).
elevated GS49g She is survived by her two adoring sons Salvatore (Sam) and Michele (Mike), loving siblings Teresa, Angela and John, many nieces and nephews and several first cousins in Canada and Sicily, Italy. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
elevated GS49g Born in Pachino, Sicily in 1951 to Francesco and Carmela Peligra, Maria was 14 years old when she and her family immigrated to Toronto, Canada.
elevated GS49g Maria learned English and began her working years as a factory worker in Toronto.
elevated GS49g In 1980 she met Francesco Degli Angeli and immediately fell in love. They went on to be married for 14 years and raised two strong and loyal children together. After the tragic loss of her husband at the tender age of 48, Maria dedicated her life to raising her two children as a single mother.
elevated GS49g Throughout her life, Maria embraced the values of family, love, and tradition.
elevated GS49g These principles became the foundation upon which she raised her children.
elevated GS49g A true family woman, Maria was incredibly proud of her two sons. She loved them dearly and was always eager to share their successes with family and friends. Maria was also a beloved aunt, affectionately known as “Zia Mary” by her many nieces and nephews. Her kindness, compassion and giving spirit has made an impact on the lives of many and she was adored by all who knew her.
elevated GS49g Maria had an insatiable passion for cooking, and never missed an opportunity to showcase her culinary skills. Zia Mary’s homemade lasagna and cannelloni were always the highlights at family events and special occasions. Her homemade tomato sauce and meatballs were crowd pleasers, and Christmases were a family affair preparing her traditional Sicilian “impanate” and “lolli” together from scratch. She shared her love through her cooking and nothing made her happier than bringing everyone together to enjoy it.
elevated GS49g Her family will miss spending hours with her around her kitchen table drinking coffee, listening to her candid stories and honest advice. She was sure in her opinions; had a sharp personality and could always make you smile!
elevated GS49g Outside of family, Maria also shared a passion for gardening. She loved flowers of all kinds and spent many summers tending to both her flower and vegetable gardens.
elevated GS49g Maria was meticulous. She kept a beautiful home inside and out and took pride and pleasure in personalizing her space to reflect her. She loved opening her home to family and friends to host gatherings. She was a social butterfly, and enjoyed working at The Bay where she made many new friends.
elevated GS49g Her journey through life was marked by resilience and strength in the face of adversity; first as an immigrant, later as a young widow and single mother, and finally in her two-year battle with cancer.
elevated GS49g Maria will always be remembered for her kindness, compassion, and her willingness to always help anyone in need.
elevated GS49g Though our hearts are heavy with the grief of her loss, we take comfort in knowing she has reunited with her beloved husband, to whom she always remained devoted. May their souls rest in eternal peace. Forever loved, forever cherished, and forever missed.
elevated GS49g Family and friends are invited to donate to the Canadian Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.
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elevated GS49g View Funeral Mass


My condolences to Family and Friends I am so sorry for your loss. A loss for us all, Truly taken to soon! Maria was a wonderful Human Being ! 💔
We will miss you Mary. She was always happy to be around family. When we were younger Jean Paul and I would love to stop at Marys during Halloween, she always spoiled us with so many treats and greeted us with that big smile on her face. As I got older and had a son we would stop by on Halloween and of course she would let him take as much as he wanted and had the same big smile on her face. Her smile, humour and love will always be remembered 💖
That was a beautiful message about my sister Garrett. Thank you for sharing your memories. Love you guys ❤️❤️
I knew Maria from Hudson’s Bay and we bonded right away. She was an incredible woman. She was kind, always have a good story to tell. My condolences to her amazing sons and family. She will be greatly missed. Sleep well my dear friend, travel safe to the greater beyond until we meet not to part. Forever in our hearts