I first came to know Maria through the international gastroenterology nurse fraternity. As well as endoscopy, we shared a work interest in research and often discussed the fastidiousness required to fulfill this role. We also shared a devotion, loyalty and respect for our medical directors who in return respected us and helped us advance our careers. 

I especially enjoyed Maria's company in 1997 during a 3 week professional and cultural visit to China, which I know Maria enjoyed.

I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to Maria's family at this very sad time.

There are no words for the loss of Maria to her mother, family and friends. What can I say? 

Years ago I met Maria during an Endoscopy congress and we became dear friends. 
Although may miles between us, we still stay true friends. I remember the time I visit her at her parents house. Such a warm welcome, let me feel if I belong to their own family. She was so proud at her nephews and their parents and loved her own parents so much. . 

Maria was a special, hard working nurse, a woman with a great heart, beautiful laugh and smile. When she spoke with her magic voice you only could listen. I'll miss her, she'll leave a footprint in my heart. Thank you for knowing her and being my friend.

My deepest condolences to her mother and the entire Cirocco family for the great loss of Maria. 

To Maria's family and friends.
Maria and I worked together in the international endoscopy/gastroenterology circle. She was always an enthusiastic speaker and encouraged young endoscopy nurses to present. I will always remember her warmth, sense of humor, and the sound of her voice. It always sounded like she was ready to laugh.
She will be missed. We are all better people for having Maria in our lives.
Hugs and Love to all.
Nancy Shields Kolb


I'm so sad to hear of Maria's passing. I had the privilege of working with her (and the team) on numerous studies in the last 13 years.  She was a mentor as I learned the ropes in my new role.  She had a fabulous sense of humor and sent and told the best jokes.   She will be missed by so many.

I’m sadden by the news of Maria’s passing. With many miles between us (I'm in Texas), I’ve worked on a few research studies with her over the past 11 years.  She was smart, funny and kind.  She will truly be missed.

I had the pleasure of working with Maria at The Wellesley Hospital as a fellow Nurse Manager and then again at Markham Stouffville Hospital.  Maria was a true professional; a "nurse's nurse"; a true patient advocate; a team player; and a kind, compassionate, caring and fun-loving person.   Maria's ever present smile, her "cheek pinching" and her kindness was appreciated by all she encountered every day. I am so sad to hear of her passing.  We have lost a wonderful woman who brought light and life to all she did. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends.

I had the privilege of meeting Maria when she offered me a position at Markham Stouffville Hospital. Little did I know how passionate she was about endoscopy and how soon she would have me under her wing. Maria encouraged me to take a more leadership role in the department and under her leadership and her knowledge, I became a better person as well as a better nurse. 
Her compassion for other staff and those in her department was second to none. The stories about “her boys” always brought a smile to her eyes . We all will remember the pinching of our faces and the beautiful smile..
The  hospital lost more than a manager with their reorganizion. They lost a brilliant ,compassionate, friend and spokesperson. 
The world is a much better place because of your beautiful daughter, sister, and aunt it was wonderful to have had her in my life. Lynda Coulson

Deepest condolences to the entire Cirocco family for the great loss of Maria. 
I had the privilege of knowing Maria for over 35 years. We started as colleagues in Endoscopy and then became friends.
Anyone who knew Maria knows all of the adjectives written above by others spelled out the wonderful person that Maria was. I really can't add more!
I will miss her humour, compassion, and friendship
I am sad!

IN REMEMBRANCE:

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glint on snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle morning rain.
And when you wake up in the morning's hush,
I am the sweet uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die

Rest In Peace Maria!

Briar


My sincere condolences to Maria's family and friends. We worked on the same office floor at SMH in 2010, Maria was always warm, kind and friendly.  I've enjoyed seeing her and catching up around the hospital since that time.  She will be sorely missed. 

Dear Maria,

We have no words to describe how important and loved you were for us; how welcome we always felt at your home; how much we will miss you.
You were our family here in the North, and it always felt like we lived nearby for our entire lives.
Heaven has now a new flower, that will spread love and peace upon us all.
You always said that "life is too short", and we thank you for teaching us that. We never wanted to believe in it, though..... and it hurts so much that yours was way too short for us to bear.
We love you and we will always miss you, you will always be in our hearts and prayers.
Keep an eye on us from up there, as you have always done, and we hope we will see you again someday, beloved cousin.

Até logo........

Junior e Rebeca

Dear Maria,
We thank God for the wonderful moments we shared, even living so far, but always together in our thoughts and hearts. Loved cousin, you were always special, an enlightened soul, and will be forever remembered. 
Now it is time for your soul to rest in peace, we know your mission here in this Earth was accomplished flawless, and now you will be received with glories by our eternal Father.
We will love you forever, and you will always be here with us, in our thoughts and in our hearts. We hope we will meet again someday.

Dear Maria,
When it is time to say good bye, there are many words to be said, but no comfort at all. Our beloved cousin is now gone from this Earth, leaving to the family she always loved, and always will, an eternal feeling of emptiness and immense sadness, that reflects in a never ending mourning. But now a new angel lives in Heaven, a new star lights the Sky. Earth is now poorer, just like our lives after this unspeakable loss. 
These are the feelings from your cousins in Brazil Giuseppa, Eduardo, Vhanessa, Junior, Guilherme, Henry, Washington, Rebeca and Tatiane.
We will miss you.........

Dear Maria, you truly were one of a kind...special in so many ways.I’ve  been reminiscing all week since I heard of your passing and trying to put into words all the ways in which you influenced my life and those of our colleagues from those early “pioneer” days at the Wellesley Endoscopy Unit. You were able ,with your natural gifts, to instill  and  share your love of endoscopy, love of teaching, love of nursing which  has stayed with me over the years and miles of my nursing journey. Your enthusiasm and confidence  in each of us lit a spark which has inspired so many nurses and doctors worldwide. You and Norm together were responsible for creating an army of endoscopists and GI nurses who remain the envy and ideal of the gastroenterology sphere of medicine. I am still proud to tell people I worked for years at the Wellesley Endoscopy. Although the physical space is gone the spirit lives on. And that is how I will remember you, Maria, the Spirit of Endoscopy. See you later dear.

Oh, Maria
So many memories of The Wellesley Hospital, Endoscopy, the CSGNA, International conferences, research studies, watching over the new ' fellows' and conference wrap up dinners. The daily work was always carried out with a smile (mostly), always giving 100% then more. You were able to work with everyone on the unit which was no small feat.
 The CSGNA benefitted from your expertize and time but mostly you were Norm's right arm.  
You will be fondly remembered and sorely missed by all who knew you. Rest now.
 

My condolences  to the Cirocco  family. 
I met Maria @ Wellesely Hospital 1996 when I started the Endosocpy unit.  Maria  welcomed me with a warm  smile and made me feel like one on the gang.  When ever we crossed paths @ SMH she spoke in her warm way. 
Maria was like a candle burning brightly. Your flame  will always burn brightly in the hearts of people you have touched.  God bless you my dear friend. 
Yvonne 

Maria was a wonderful person and always a delight to be around. She helped me in many ways and I am and very sad that she left us so soon. My deepest sympathy to her family. Sandra L. Bonnier ( former pharmaceutical representative)

You  just go to God garden, we'll miss you!DavidZhang and families. 

Dear family and friends
I am shocked and saddened my the death of Maria.
As a SMH RN for many years and then a Planner I met Maria through many events, transitions, renovations and moves-  especially from the time of the Wellesley merger.
Whenever we met she greeted me with open arms, her friendly smile and a hug.

A very special and warm caring  person.
 She will be missed.
Jessica

My condolences to the family and friends of Maria. I work at SMH but actually met Maria only briefly as a student nurse many years ago. I was at the CSGNA conference and she came up to me and told me how wonderful my poster presentation and that perhaps we could work together to publish it. She left a strong impression that later on once I was hired at SMH, I went to find her to say and thank her for believing in me and inspiring me to always strive to believe in sharing your research.  Sorry for your loss!

My deepest condolences to the Cirocco family.  Maria was a dear friend and loved by many and will be missed. I met Maria  in 1979 at the Wellesley Hospital .  Her laughter and smile could light up a room whenever she entered and many of us remember those "cheek pinches".

She called me 10 yrs. later to come and work in the endoscopy unit and her passion for GI nursing spread throughout the nursing team.  I remember the first therapeutic course that I was involved in and how she supported all of us new nursing members to the team.  We were all so intimidated by the visiting physicians but she introduced us to all of them  and told them to be good to us!! And of course she then pinched each and everyone of those visiting physicians cheeks to reinforce her statement  followed by a hug. 

 That course was the start of my passion for endoscopy and the reason I continued working in endoscopy until 2016. She encouraged us nurses to all join CSGNA and participate in conferences and poster presentation.  
We shared many experiences in endoscopy and the CSGNA over the last 26yrs and I will always remember working with her on projects , procedures and poster presentations.  I remember saying to her at the CSGNA conferences when one of our previous therapeutic fellows came as a quest speaker how it felt like having the youngsters return to the fold.  And all of those fellows remember her fondly for her mentorship, love and respect and have kept in contact with her over the years.

Maria, I will miss you so much but the fond memories of our time together will always be in my heart.  Rest in peace my friend and I am glad your suffering is over.  Love Linda

 I haven't seen Maria in a while, but I will always have fond memories of her. Maria was such a loving and caring person who would do anything for her family and friends. As we can see from all the pictures, Maria had a very full and rich life surrounded by those she loved. Rest in peace cousin. My condolences to the whole family. May you find comfort knowing she is in a better place.
Anna & Mark MacDonald

Angelo,
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Sharing in your sorrow with love and friendship.
I am here for you if you ever need anything!

Our deepest sympathy and prayers to the Cirocco family.  Maria's zest for life will never be forgotten!  She always greeted you with a warm smile and welcomed you with open arms.

There aren't enough words to describe how amazing Maria was inside and out.
A strong selfless giver who was loved and adored .
Maria encouraged,inspired and touched so many of us in  CSGNA.
The many memories shared together will keep Maria forever in our hearts.
May you rest in peace and love.
With heartfelt sympathy ,
Mabel



Maria was a great inspiration for GI Nurses across Canada with her enthusiasm and passion for nursing, moving GI Nursing forward as national organization through CSGNA.  She inspired and encouraged you to move you forward always looking at best in each nurse can offer.  
I remembered receiving emails on numerous occasions from her late spring asking me to make sure I had prepared an abstract or poster for the annual CSGNA conference emphasizing "she will not accept no as an answer."  With this kind of request one cannot let her down!  She encouraged and trusted you, bringing out the best quality one can give. She also made a point of personally praising the work you have done.    
With her dedication to GI Nursing she has brought forward CSGNA to what it is today.  
Thank you Maria for all you have done and may you rest in peace.  
Usha Chauhan

Dear Maria,
You were the first GI nurse to invite me to the CSGNA. I will never forget your warmth, your exactness and laugh. You became a mentor, colleague and a wonderful friend. May you Rest In Peace , Maria. Heaven welcomes you as  their best researcher ever!!!
I am better for having you as a friend. My heart goes out to your friends and  family.❤️

OBITUARY

Maria Cirocco

November 16, 1955 – July 14, 2018

Delmoro Funeral Home

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