Beloved wife of over 50 years to the late Jon Tomic (2007). Dear mother of Jon, Marioara (1985), Persida, and Juliana Popesku (Jon). Loving grandmother of Lavinel Popesku, Jason Popesku, Julie Conte (Joe), Janet Denzer (Jimmy), and great grandmother of Victoria and Landon Popesku, Sal and Ryan Conte, David and Elizabeth Denzer. Loving Aunt to many nieces, especially Marioara Mohan (Josa) and her family of Cleveland, Ohio, including her sister Anuta and family and her brother Gheorghita in Serbia (former Yugoslavia) and Ana Kadarian (Bob) of Kitchener and her family and her brother Jon Muncan of Kitchener, nephews, cousins, especially Juliana Kempijan (late Panta) of Kitchener and her family, and extended family and friends in Canada, U.S.A. and Serbia (former Yugoslavia).
Predeceased by her parents Panta and Sofia Stanciu and her sister Persa (Gheorghe).
Maria was born in Lokve (San Mihai, Banat) in former Yugoslavia and immigrated with her family to Canada in 1967. She had a special talent for baking, home cooking, cleaning and taking care of her flowers, vegetable garden, and grapevines. Since 1967, Maria was an active member of St. John the Baptist Romanian Orthodox Church and the Romanian Cultural Association (Banatul) and was one of the first Presidents of the Ladies Auxiliary. Her working years were at Smiles'n Chuckles Chocolate Factory, Syroco Canada, and Weston Bakeries all in Kitchener. Maria will be remembered for her generosity and kindness to everyone who knew her. Maria's family meant everything to her. She will be dearly missed.
Maria's family will receive relatives and friends at Westmount Memorial Celebration Centre, 1001 Ottawa St. S., Kitchener, (519-743-8900), on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Prayers at 7:00 p.m. Funeral will be held at St. John the Baptist Romanian Orthodox Church, 2150 Bleams Rd., Kitchener, on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with Father John Maerean officiating. Interment will follow at Woodland Cemetery. If desired, memorial donations would be appreciated St. John the Baptist Romanian Orthodox Church, 2150 Bleams Rd., Kitchener, ON, N2E 3Y1. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. J. Sehgal, Dr. R. Fowlis, and all of the medical staff at Grand River Hospital.
