Maria (née Torquato) Occhino

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Nonna, sister and friend, Maria Occhino, on September 27, 2026, at the age of 80, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Maria was predeceased by her beloved husband, Giacomo Occhino, on October 15, 2010, and by her brothers, Angelo, Giovanni, Alberto, Francesco and Giacinto Torquato.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Frank (Maureen), Saveria (Curtis), Giacomo “Jack” and Carlo; her beloved grandchildren, Milan, Katia, Paulina, Riley (Erik) and Jake; her brothers, Mario (Vincenza) and Antonio (Giannina) Torquato; and her sister, Giovanna (Angelo) Castagnaro, along with her extended family and countless friends whose lives were made brighter simply by knowing her.

Maria was born on December 3, 1945, in San Mango d’Aquino, Calabria, Italy. In 1963, at just 17 years old, she made the journey to Winnipeg with her brothers and sister to begin a new life in Canada. While Winnipeg became her home, Italy was forever in her heart. She remained immensely proud of her Italian heritage. Throughout her life, she celebrated its traditions, values, and maybe most of all, the Calabrian food she grew up on.

On May 3, 1969, Maria married Giacomo Occhino in Winnipeg. They built a life centred around family and the Italian traditions they both cherished. They had four children and raised them in a home where family and friends were always welcome.

Together, they had two family businesses. Firstly, Caffè Italia, and then La Trattoria Ristorante, both on Corydon Avenue. Maria’s warmth, infectious personality and unmistakable smile made everyone feel welcome. Maria and Giacomo shared more than 41 years of marriage before his passing in 2010.

Maria devoted more than 34 years of her working life to caring for others as a nurse’s aide at Taché Centre, now Actionmarguerite, Golden West Centennial Lodge and other personal care homes in Winnipeg. Caring for people came naturally to Maria. It was not simply something she did for a living; it was part of who she was.

Her garden was another source of great pride and happiness. Whether tending vegetables destined for the kitchen or filling her yard with flowers, Maria loved watching things grow and sharing the results with those around her.

Family gatherings were never quite complete until Maria said it was complete. She was full of life, quick with a joke and almost always wearing the big smile for which she will be remembered. She loved being surrounded by people and was happiest when the house was full, the table was crowded, and family and friends were together. Maria loved to cook, and feeding the people she loved was one of the ways she showed her affection.

Later in life, Maria treasured the time she and Giacomo spent at Twin Beaches, surrounded by family and friends who also had cottages there. Those summers created many wonderful memories and gave Maria another place where family, food, laughter and friendship naturally came together.

Above everything else, Maria was Nonna.

Milan, Katia, Paulina, Riley and Jake were her world. She made sure they were loved, fed, cared for and, in true Nonna fashion, never went without. Her devotion to them was boundless.

But Maria’s title of Nonna was never limited to her own grandchildren. Over the years, many of her children’s friends also came to know and love her simply as “Nonna.” There could perhaps be no greater testament to Maria’s giving nature and kind soul. Family, to Maria, was never defined solely by blood. If you came through her door, sat at her table and became part of her children’s lives, there was always a place for you in hers.

During the final six months of her life, Maria faced cancer with remarkable strength and courage. Even through the most difficult days, the qualities that defined her never disappeared. She continued to smile, continued to joke, and continued to welcome visits from the family and friends she loved having around her. Her strength remained with her until her final days.

Maria leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured simply in years. It lives in her children and grandchildren, in the traditions she passed down, in recipes that will forever be attempted but never quite duplicated, in summers remembered at Twin Beaches, and in the many people who were fortunate enough to be welcomed into her life.

Her family will miss her beautiful smile, her humour, her strength, her generosity, her cooking, her stories and the unmistakable warmth she brought into every room.

Most of all, we will simply miss our Mom, our Nonna, our sister and our friend.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, 510 River Avenue, Winnipeg. Condolences will be received from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m. A private family burial will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maria’s memory in support of Palliative Care through the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation.

Rest peacefully, my sweet Mom, Nonna, sister and friend.

Your love, laughter and beautiful smile will remain with us always.