Maria Pellizzari (nee Artuso)

It is with great sadness that the family of Maria Pellizzari (nee Artuso) announces her passing at the Golden Plough Lodge LTC Home (Cobourg) on May 7th, 2025, in her 90th year. Beloved wife to the late (Giuseppe) Primo (1999). Cherished mother of Julie Morrill (Brent), Larry Pellizzari (Birgit), Rick Pellizzari (Jackie Stearns). Loving Nonna to Andrew Morrill (Laura), Jessica Morrill (Greg Rawson), Sophia Pellizzari and Tyler Pellizzari. Cherished Bis Nonna to Madison, Peyton and Bennett Morrill.

Predeceased by her brothers Graziano, Pietro (Maria), Aldo (Giuseppina), Silvio (Kay), Erminio and Tarcisio. She will be lovingly remembered by her surviving brother Oddo (Luisa) and her surviving sisters-in-law Clara and Rosetta. Survived by many nieces and nephews.

Maria was born in Treviso, Italy and emigrated to Canada in 1958. She and her husband settled in Guelph. Maria was devoted to caring for her family. She had bountiful vegetable and flower gardens. She and Primo won many bocce tournaments over the years. Many winters she and Primo would spend two weeks in the Caribbean with a large group of friends and relatives. They had many Italian friends and relatives in Guelph.

She was an incredible self-taught seamstress first using an old Singer trendle sewing machine. Maria sewed beautiful clothing for herself and her children as well as draperies. Over the years, she worked at Rennie Shirt Factory, a dry cleaners and a men’s clothing store doing alterations. She volunteered at Holy Rosary Church sewing baptism stoles and was a member of the CWL where she assisted with funeral receptions held in the church hall.

As her Alzheimer’s progressed, she needed to move from the Elliott Retirement Community in Guelph and was placed in a long-term care home in Cobourg. This allowed her to be closer to some of her family. Special thanks to Dr. Reynolds, the nurses and PSWs who provided extraordinary and loving care to Maria as her disease progressed.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, Guelph. Visitation will take place from 9:30 am to 10:30 am on Friday May 16th at Holy Rosary Church, 175 Emma St, Guelph, with a funeral mass to follow immediately at 10:30 am. Entombment at Our Lady Immaculate Mausoleum, Marymount Cemetery, followed by a reception at the Holy Rosary Community Centre.

As expressions of sympathy, memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Society or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.