Maria Iovino

Maria Iovino passed away on Monday February 9th, 2026 at 5:30 pm after a struggle with Dementia and complications from congestive heart failure. She just turned 93 on January 12th at the Czorny Alzheimer Centre in Surrey, BC which has been her home since 2022.

Her husband Gabriel of 32 years passed in June 1984. She is survived by her children Silvana, Gino ( Kim) and Olga; her four grandsons Michael (Cathy), Robin, Steven (deceased March 6, 2009) and Christopher (Crystal); and her six great-grandchildren Alexandra, Joshua, Maddox, Mason, Keanan and Jayden. She is also survived by her siblings: Lilliana, Marcella, Camillo (Carmela), and brother-in-law Antonio; predeceased by her siblings Guiseppe, Rita, Vincenza (Provino) and brothers-in-law Tom and Enzo.

She was born to Guilliemo and Angelina Moretti in Corropoli, Abruzzi, Italy in 1933, one of 6 children, on a farm where she learned hard work and self-sufficiency. She married Gabriel in 1952 and immigrated to be with him in Revelstoke, Canada in 1953, to start their family of five in the hopes of living a better life. They moved to Toronto, enjoying life with their extended family for many years before moving to Italy in 1964 for 3 months, eventually returning back to Toronto and finally settling permanently in Burnaby, BC in 1972 in the same house she still owns today.

Maria was a strong, independent woman. After losing her husband at the age of 51, she obtained her drivers license and a job at a Swedish Nursing Home where she made friends and joined their bowling team. She eventually retired comfortably in her family home.

She loved gardening in her yard, canning tomatoes, eggplant and pears, preparing prosciutto and salami, and making homemade wine and pasta. In fact, she made the best pasta, sauce and meatballs. She was also a competitive card shark in Scopa always striving to get the Settebello. However, her greatest joy was spending time with her family, and feeding them her delicious homemade cooking and baking.

She spent the last few years of her life comfortably under the special care of the nursing home. A special thank you to Lordes and Lia and her many caregivers and nursing staff who provided unbelievable care and allowed her family to spend precious time with her.

Maria was very special and will always be precious to us, her family.

A funeral mass will be held at Holy Cross Church in Burnaby at 11am on February 20th, 2026, followed by internment, and then a celebration of life at Lochdale Community Hall in Burnaby.

In lieu of flowers, we ask for donations in her name to the Czorny Alzheimer Centre,

16850 66th Avenue, Surrey, BC V3S 5M1.