Maria Varriano

elevated HloTe April 24, 1932 ~ September 1, 2025

elevated HloTe Private Visitation & Funeral Mass
Chapel of St. Joseph at Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 3Z6

elevated HloTe Private Entombment
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
8361 Yonge Street Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 3Z6

elevated HloTe Obituary

elevated HloTe It is with heavy hearts and a profound sense of loss that we announce the peaceful passing of Maria Varriano (nee Tamburro), surrounded by her family, on September 1, 2025 at age 93. Maria was born on April 24, 1932 in Italy to parents Francesco and Teresa. She was predeceased by her soulmate and loving husband of 49 years, Gildo. She was also predeceased by her sisters Catarina (Francesco Palladino) and Virginia (Domenico DeStefano) and by her brother Domenico (Carmela). Maria is survived by her daughter Patricia (Mark Fuller) and her two grandchildren Sara and Michael, all of whom she adored. Maria was highly social and loved to warmly welcome friends and family into her home. She was happiest with a group gathered at her kitchen table chatting over espresso and home made biscotti. She was an exceptional cook and baker – working almost always to the sounds of Italian music in the background (especially, Andrea Bocelli). Sharing her culinary creations was one of the many ways she showed her love. Throughout her life, Maria demonstrated great inner strength, from the heartache of leaving her parents and siblings who remained in Italy, to her role as a totally devoted caregiver to Gildo through his battle with Alzheimer’s, to overcoming lymphoma and then her grace and dignity in her own fight with Alzheimer’s. She will always be remembered for her kindness, selflessness, and care for others and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

elevated HloTe The family is grateful to the team at Cedarhurst Dementia Care Home who cared for Maria during the last years of her life and to the team at Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care who supported us through Maria’s final days.

elevated HloTe In lieu of flowers memorial donations in honour of Maria Varriano may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada or the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care.

elevated HloTe