Maria Suzanne DeGirolamo

She was predeceased by her parents Augustin and Marie-Louise Gauthier, infant daughter Louise, husband Ernest, sister and brother-in-law Suzanne and Martin Puchala and daughter-in-law Jamie DeGirolamo.

Maria is survived by her sister Marie-Rose of Prince Albert, her children; Marc (Jan), Neil, Marcia (Wayne), Lynn (Randy), Dan (Marie) and Dale.

Grandchildren; Julia, Stephanie (Mike), Vanessa (Matt), Colton, Landon, Mathew (Josh), Blake, Jessica (Mitch), Makaila (Quinn), Samuel, and Helena.

Great Grandchildren; Wesley, Vivienne, Ambellina, Gabrielle, Emmitt, Gemma, and Nash.

Maria was born October 5th 1930 on the farm east of Marcelin. She attended school at Sion in Prince Albert, Skipton and then Marcelin, graduating Gr12 with a French and English diploma, a commercial business course and Gr8 in music. In 1950 she started a nursing course at St Paul’s hospital graduating in 1953 as a Registered Nurse. Mom went to work in Weyburn, Prince Albert Holy Family and Trail BC.

In Trail, 1955, Maria met Ernest DeGirolamo and they were married in Marcelin, July 1956. They made their first home in Nelson BC where Marc was born and then moved onto the farm east of Marcelin in 1957, where they started farming and raising a family.

Mom’s life was always centered around her family, community and church. She was a caregiver, who was always helping people in their time of need. She would never say no to someone in need of assistance and was always the ‘nurse’ of the community.

After Ernie passed away in 1979, she went back to school to re-certify as an RN. This led to her becoming manager of Country Valley Homecare until her retirement in 1990.

Music was a huge part of her life, not a day went by without hearing her at the piano or organ. She was the organist for St Joseph’s parish in Marcelin for many years, and a CWL member for 75 years.

She was proud to be part of the St. Paul’s Nurses Alumni and attended many reunions with her classmates over the years.

In retirement gardening and the farmyard occupied much of her time. She had many beautiful vegetables, flowers and trees in and around the garden for all to enjoy. Travelling and cruising to many countries of the world was another of Mom’s passions, making new friends wherever she went.

Her children and grandchildren were a big part and pride of her life. She would never miss a concert, ballgame or birthday party and did not miss an opportunity to cook a big meal for us all.

In 2013 Mom moved to Primrose Chateau, a seniors retirement community in Saskatoon where she enjoyed the company of others as well as living with her sister Marie-Rose again. In 2020 she moved to Arbor Villa care home and then to Sunnyside Adventist nursing home in 2022.

We wish to thank the staff at those wonderful facilities for making her final years comfortable.

We love you Mom and will miss you.

The funeral service and interment will take place at St. Joseph Parish, Marcelin Saskatchewan, on Saturday May 18, 2024 at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to a charity of your choice in Maria’s memory.