Maria Vittoria (Vidale) Gropp

Maria Vittoria Vidale, was born in Bassano del Grappa, Province of Vicenza, Italy on February 3, 1933 to Giovanni and Elvira (Magnani) Vidale,

Maria was raised and went to school in Italy. On July 13, 1955 Maria immigrated to Canada via the S.S. Roma which landed at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. As a single young lady, not knowing anyone in this new country, she stayed in Halifax and boarded with the Sister of Services. In 1956, her brothers Ezio and Fabio, arrived in Halifax. Together they moved to Hamilton, Ontario, where Maria & Ezio worked at International Harvester. In 1957, her sister, Giovanna and brother, Vittorio, arrived in Halifax via SS Saturnia, also landing at Pier 21. They made their way to Toronto where Giovanna found a job in a Cotton Mill and Vittorio in construction.

Maria then met and married Jurgen Gropp. After having 2 boys (Claus and Larry), they moved to San Francisco, looking for better opportunities and eventually moved to Glendale, CA to raise their family.

Maria was a hard worker and very tenacious in every project she started. She was an avid cook and loved to sew. She would sew matching outfits for Claus and Larry and designed fabulous clothes for herself. Maria enjoyed shopping and fashion. She loved socializing with all her friends. She had a very active life and always wanted to do and learn more. So, in 1985, she graduated from Glendale College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Maria loved to travel and would visit her family as much as possible. Her lively discussions will be greatly missed.

During her last years, Maria was taken well care of by Gary Demirjian and his wonderful staff, Laura, Arpi, Mike and Randy, at Santa Anita House in Burbank, California. They truly took good care of her and always made sure she was happy and comfortable. Gary and Mike even brought her to her grandson, Lawrence and Andrea's, wedding. We are so grateful that she passed away peacefully. Thank you Gary for all the love and care. She could not have been in a better place!

Family:

Mother of - the late Claus Gropp (2019) and Larry (Sheri) Gropp.

Grandmother of - Lawrence (Andrea) Gropp and Katy Frick.

Sister of - the late Lidia (Lorenzo) Cimino, Ezio (Isolde) Vidale, Angelina (Giuseppe) Moretto, Fabio Vidale, Giovanna (Sergio) Villalta, Giulietta (Pasquale) di Fabio and SURVIVED by Vittorio (Ursula) Vidale.

Aunt of - Antonio and Giuseppina Cimino.

Mauro, Rossella and Adriana Moretto.

Michael, Susy, Rosemary, Gianpiero and Mirko Villalta.

Gabriele di Fabio.

Marisa and Ricardo Vidale.

Maria, Rest in Peace!!!