Maria Luisa Ronase

Maria met her husband of almost 45 years, Norberto Ronase, in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1981 and they married the following year. After living in Sicily and Maryland, where Norberto was stationed with the U.S. Navy, the couple moved to Chesapeake to continue raising their children.

The youngest of six siblings, and known to her nieces and nephews as Auntie Baby, Maria always put family first. She showed her love by making sure everyone around her was well fed. When she wasn't in the kitchen cooking, she was in her backyard tending her sprawling vegetable garden. And when she wanted a little fun of her own, she headed to the casino—what she would call her “playground,” to play the slots.

Maria is survived by her husband Norberto; children Melissa Ronase of Chesapeake and Norbrian Ronase and husband Ryan Sprowl of Richmond, Virginia; grandson CJ Ronase of Chesapeake; siblings Susan Velasco and husband Teodoro Velasco of Halifax, Nova Scotia; Caridad Vitug and husband Wilfredo Vitug of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Loretta Torres of Chesapeake; Josephine Torres of Chesapeake; Fernando Torres and wife Lillian Torres of Chesapeake; and an abundance of nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents Philip and Constancia Torres.

Visitation will be held at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23502, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. for family, friends, and loved ones.

A funeral service will take place in the chapel at the same location on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m, followed by a graveside service. A reception for friends and family will be held in the Woodlawn Funeral Home reception hall following the graveside service.