Maria Rulli
elevated z60qp September 16, 1924 ~ March 28, 2025
elevated z60qp Visitation
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 from 10:00 – 11:45 am
Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 3Z6
elevated z60qp Funeral Mass
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Chapel of St. Joseph at Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 3Z6
elevated z60qp Entombment
Holy Trinity Mausoleum at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery at 1:00 pm
8361 Yonge Street Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 3Z6
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elevated z60qp Obituary
It is with deep sadness, and tears in our eyes that we announce the peaceful passing of Maria Rulli on March 28, 2025, in Oshawa Ontario, at the age of 100. She was born on September 16, 1924 in the city of Bressanone/Brixen, Italy, in the Tyrolean mountains to Paul and Maria Kastlunger. Maria was known for her selflessness and unwavering care and dedication to her family and friends. Maria migrated to Canada over the ocean in 1951 and met her lifelong best friend Hermine Wekerle on their adventurous journey to Canada together.
elevated z60qp After spending some time in Canada Maria became a professional hairdresser and also an esthetician. She had a long career as a hairdresser in many hair salons in Toronto. Maria then met Duilio, her husband, and they were married on July 23, 1955, and started their family shortly after that. Maria faced many challenges both good and bad in Europe and after migrating to Canada. But Maria always had a way of seeing the positive side of any situation. She also helping others by consoling them. Maria had a gift for providing comfort and compassion to all that knew her.
elevated z60qp Maria’s warm heart and incredible smile would light up every room she entered. Such a kind soul and such wonderful demeanor. Always compassionate and caring to everyone. Maria loved baking traditional foods from a German recipe book given to her by her mother after the second world war. This fascinating book was partly charred and burned from being recovered while leaving their burning home which was under attack during World War 2. Maria has been through so many things, perhaps this is where she derived her incredible wisdom, awareness, and common sense.
elevated z60qp Maria was also an avid gardener. She found peace and solace in growing numerous types of herbs and vegetables in the backyard garden. To this day the family has never tasted Arugula, and many other home-grown vegetables, quite like the ones she grew and provided to the family over the last 40 to 50 years. Maria also had every book on every herb, and every natural remedy, with well over 1000 books in her library. She had medical books, holistic health books, herbal books, self-help books, and personal development books about anything anyone would ever need. She was always reading and learning and enriching her knowledge along with her ability to help others, and maintain her own health.
elevated z60qp As a loving mother, Maria cherished her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. One of the things she enjoyed most was having everybody over for a holiday family dinner at the dining room table. Having the people she loved together and happy, making wonderful everlasting memories, is what Maria loved the most. Remarkably, somehow Maria could always find a 4-leaf clover for the children. Little fun things like this will be remembered by everyone.
elevated z60qp Maria was also fully fluent in German, Italian, and English. She was able to teach and help her two sons with school projects and homework on a regular basis. Maria was also an avid music lover. Whether it was Elvis Presley, Andrea Bocelli, Luciano Pavarotti, Andre Rieu, or any other of the great tenors, she would listen to the music with her husband Duilio for hours and hours. They loved to do this together…
elevated z60qp Maria’s legacy and commitment to her family will live on forever. By example she showed everyone how to love and live life. Her loving soul shaped her children and grandchildren towards living their lives to the fullest, yet remaining humble. Making people laugh and engaging in playful banter with her sense of humor provided countless occasions for laughter and just feeling good. She would always provide a confidential ear to listen to whatever was bothering or disturbing anyone. Then she would console. Not give the answer but provide enough guidance and insight for the person to come up with their own answer. Maria had a gift to make every road smoother, and to remove the major bumps. There was always another way to look at the same challenge.
elevated z60qp Beloved wife to Duilio for 69 wonderful years. Loving mother to Ilio (Wendy) and Dino (Lori). Cherished grandmother to Tyler, Robin (Mitch), Anthony, Alyssa (Waldrop), Jacob (Celina), Aja, Jaimie (Paul) and Anika. Great grandmother to Farley, Ella Grace, Lyra James, and Levi. Aunt to many nieces and nephews in Canada and Europe.
elevated z60qp Maria will be dearly missed by everyone that knew her, and lovingly remembered by all. Her infinite kindness and compassion will be forever in our hearts and with us eternally.
elevated z60qp In memory of Maria, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s society https://alzheimer.ca/en?form=general or to the charity of your choice.
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Tante Maria, as we called her, was all these wonderful qualities described in this obituary. I especially admired her wisdom in all things holistic. She was a veritable fountain of knowledge and was happy to share all this with me. I will be forever grateful for having known her. I know she’s in heaven now, probably with our mom, having a nice slice of Austrian strudel and a lovely cup of coffee or, more likely, a special herbal tea. Love you lots!
She will always be fondly remembered for her sweet and kind disposition, and forever smiling. Our condolences go out to the family, and may the peace of Christ comfort you all.
Meeting her in the last year was such a blessing for me, she was such a wonderful soul. Her smile would light up every room when you walk in. I am really going to miss her even just to see her smile. Rest well Maria and to the family I pray God will comfort you in this time. KAREN
Dino and Family, please accept our Family’s condolences on the loss of your fantastic mother, Maria.
Being neighbours for 50 years we had many great times and conversations. Maria will be missed by us and the rest of the world.
May she rest in eternal peace 🙏🙏
I am very sorry on the passing of Maria she was a great comfort to me and my family. We spent many hours together since we were Good neighbours will never forget the yoga classes and health conferences. Maria will be greatly missed.
Eternal light grant onto her Lord and May she
Rest in Peace.🙏✝️🕯️🌹
Mrs Rulli as I knew her, was always a wonderfully warm and welcoming presence when I hung out with Ilio in the 1970’s. Her great consideration and care are what I especially remember her for. It resonated in her voice which I can still hear now, fussing over some aspect of Ilio’s going out before graciously and indulgently allowing whatever was going on to go on, with an, ‘Alll right, then. You take care’. I know she always did, and will, take care. I wish the family ease in their loss of a long, well lived and much loved woman.
Liebe Tante Maria,
I was deeply saddened by your death. I still remember your visits to Austria and my visits to Canada very well, especially our visit to the niagara falls. You were always so kind and loving to me and my family. I will always keep you in my eternal memory. Please give my best regards to my Papa Hans. Now you are reunited with your brothers.
Your nephew Peter and Family
Rest in Peace Mom! 50 Years of calling you Mom! Barb and I will miss your beautiful smile and open arms for a hug. Love you 💘😘🤗