Maria Arnone

Now we know why you always told us to be strong.
You knew that one day we would need the strength to bear your loss.

A LIFE LIVED WITH LOVE AND JOY
Maria Arnone (nee Lanzino) age 88 passed away peacefully on Monday, December 5, 2022 surrounded by love.

The beloved matriarch of the family, she is survived by her late husband Vincenzo and three daughters and spouses, Cathy (Joe), Lidia (Paul), Connie (Adrian). Her grandchildren Sandy (Domenic), Frankie (Sandra), Stephanie (Hugo), Ryan, Christopher and great grandchildren, Francesco, Antonio, Leo, Layla, Gabriele, Jordan.

Our mother was born in Celico, Cozenza, Italy, on January 15, 1934. Born into a family of seven brothers and sisters, she knew at a very young age how to be strong and live a life without a mother and father. Where this may have hindered someone else's spirit, for our mother it gave her all the qualities that made her bigger than life. She was a force to be reckoned with. She was strong willed, opinionated and showed up for all the battles in her life. She was a friend to all, and wasn’t afraid to stand up for what was right and just. She lived and loved fully with honesty, integrity and grace. She was full of wisdom, and shared stories with us which we continue to carry through into our lives.
Our mother found her strength in God, and told us God was her first love. Her faith and love for God gave her the ability to love fully and completely. Her beautiful smile illuminated every room she walked into. In her presence you felt important and loved. She was a unique woman, full of joy and laughter. To us she was everything.
She came to Canada in 1952, accompanied by friends on a ship that docked at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. When we think of our mother doing this without her family, we understand the strength and courage it took. Our mother was brave beyond belief. Even after our father’s passing, she continued to live on her own, keeping herself busy by cooking for herself, going to church, and enjoying the company of her friends, especially Gina, Assunta and Rosetta. From Halifax, she made her way to Toronto, to meet up and marry our father Vincenzo on December 1 1952.
They spent the rest of their lives living a simple and carefree life in the same home they began their journey together all those years ago. My father enjoyed his life in their first and only home for 60 years, and our mother for 70 years. Nowadays, this is unheard of from people. Families move around from house to house. But, for our parents this was their home. The home where they began their life together, had children, celebrated with family and friends. Nearing the end before our mother’s passing, I asked her what she wanted to be remembered for. And this is what she said. “Tell everyone, I led a beautiful and simple life with your father. I was happy and always had a smile on my face for everyone. My life was with God, and I have God in my heart. God gave us everything. I had a good life, and there wasn’t anything I didn’t have that God didn’t give me. Your father was a simple man. He worked hard, but all the free time he had, he spent with his family. I too was a simple woman who carried love in my heart and I loved everyone and enjoyed everyone. We had three beautiful daughters. I am proud of them. They married good men. And I love my grandchildren. Of those who married, they married good people and gave me six beautiful great grandchildren. I have nothing to be sad about. This is life. I am ready to go and be with God.”
Our mother leaves us with a lifetime of wisdom. Her character, her love of God, her zest for life is something you don’t find often in this life. She told me we were not to cry, because she lived a good life. She wanted us to be happy, and continue to spread her love of life to others. My sisters and I are the women we are because of the foundation our parents laid out for us. To be good people, to be kind, to be loving, to be happy to have another day.
Our mother was the person who came into your life and left her footprints in your heart and you knew you would never be the same again.
Mom.…Thank you seems very small to say to you when we think about all the sacrifices you have made for us. You are the one person who can take the place of others, but you can never be replaced. We hope to follow your lead, and one day become just like you!
For all those times that didn’t seem like anything, but were everything.
We will love you forever….Cathy, Lidia and Connie
WE WILL ALWAYS KEEP TALKING ABOUT YOU.
YOU DESERVE TO BE REMEMBERED.