Maria Di Palma

Maria Di Palma was an amazing and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, zia and friend. She embraced life with a spirit that was intoxicating, to all that knew her. She was larger than life itself embracing any challenge that came her way never giving up in her desire to achieve beyond her small world. She inspired anyone who knew her, through her faith in God, her words of wisdom and inspiration, as well as her passion for life.

Maria was born in Bagnoli Del Trigno in January 16, 1949. Her parents Enrico and Filomena had started their new family when her father became very sick. This left her mother to raise her and her sister Vanda (and later Dora) many years without their father. Through this difficult life experience, she gained a desire to strive for something greater in her life. When she was presented the opportunity to come to Canada in 1967 at 18 years old to marry her husband Guiseppe, she had the courage to move beyond her humble home and upbringing. Her strong faith in God had given her the strength to take on this new challenge in a new country.

My mother’s gift was her ability to form strong relationships in her life. She had a natural ability to make you feel important in her presence. To her grandson Davide, she was so proud of all the things you were able to do for her. She would say, “He is like me a perfectionist when he does something”. Then there is Luca when you would walk down to her house and talk to her for hours, she would say “He is more my son then yours, he understands me more than you do”. To my husband Lui, who connected with her through their teasing and banter with one another. My mom inspired and validated her nephews and nieces Fred, Enrico, Filomena and Aida. Her favourite thing to say was “You are never alone God is always with you.” She loved her family and friends immensely. She devoted so much of her life to her husband especially when he became sick and was bed ridden for over final 2 years of his life. She cared for him until his final breath. Her devotion and loyalty were an example to us all. My mother put aside her own desires to care for my father to the end, this was an example of her vast strength, devotion, and determination.

To me, my mother was larger than life. She said when I was a baby sleeping in my crib, I would stretch my hand out and she would hold it until I feel asleep. Now, being an only child, you would think that she raised me to depend on her but nothing is farther from the truth. The fact is she inspired me to know all things are possible. I was timid but my mother was so infectious that I just encompassed so much of her essence. My mother would say to me “Be as shrewd as snake and as innocent as dove”. I feel this encompassed my mother for she was gentle and wise but never naïve to the harshness of life. As I grew older, I could only be influenced by this powerful matriarch.

In the past few years after my father’s death, I spent so much time with my mom. I wanted to give her the time that she missed out by caring for my father. I remember numerous lunch dates, shopping trips and spending time in Penticton. The memories fill me with great joy for all the time I spent with her. As she became sicker in the past few months, I wanted to be so optimistic thinking that this was just a setback. The reality came to light when I realized she was very sick during the last days of her life. Yet, my mother was constantly guiding me through her last days for she knew she was dying. Constantly, she let me know numerous times “you must be STRONG.” These words now keep going through my mind like a heartbeat. “How can I not be strong my dear mother, I am my mother’s daughter”. When I feel alone…. I just close my eyes… and I feel your hand within mine…… I love you mom till the end of time.

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