Obituary for Maria Di Rosa
Maria Raffaella “Pupetta” Cuccaro (Di Rosa) was born in Torre del Greco, Italy, on June 21, 1934. As the middle child of five, and the only female growing up in war-torn southern Italy, she did not have the opportunities for education than she would have had growing up in another place and time. She also suffered a trauma which caused her left retina to almost fully detached, the first in a string of attacks to her eyesight which would continue throughout her life. Still, intelligent and enterprising, she began her own business as a young adult, working as a seamstress and a sewing teacher out of her family home. It was through this business venture that she met her future husband, Girolamo Di Rosa. The two were married on April 13, 1967, and they had two children, Lucia (Lucy) and Elena. In the early 1970s, they decided to leave Italy to pursue better opportunities for their young family. On November 3, 1973, they moved to Toronto, where they founded a wholesale jewellery business, Italian Jewellery Imports. The two worked side by side while raising their young family and also caring for Maria’s elderly mother.
Over the years, Maria’s eyesight continued to deteriorate. Afflicted with macular degeneration and glaucoma, she persevered, moving her family back to Italy for a period in the 1980s, and then back to Toronto in 1988, at which time she and Girolamo established a new jewellery business, Blue Point, a family-run operation which continues to operate today. Maria continued to work and to take care of her family, including her only granddaughter, Isabella, until she could no longer see. In her final years, she suffered a tragic fall and dealt with dementia, but her determination and spirit continued to be a source of strength for her family until her death on January 23, 2021, just two weeks after the death of her beloved husband, Girolamo.
Maria leaves behind her two daughters, Lucy Di Rosa and Elena Cortesi, a son-in-law, David Cortesi, one granddaughter, Isabella Cortesi, and a large network of family and friends in North America and Europe.
In lieu of flowers donations in memory Maria may be made to the CNIB.
Private visitations will take place at the Vescio Funeral Home Woodbridge Chapel (8101 Weston Rd. 905-850-3332) Wednesday January 27, 2021 from 10:15 a.m. which will be live-streamed. If you choose to virtually participate in the funeral service which will also be live-streamed, it will commence at 11:00am. Private family entombment to follow.
Online Condolences at: www.vesciofuneralhome.com
To view the live stream from your computer, click the “photos and video tab”, scroll down until you see watch the webcast link. From your cell phone scroll down until you see watch the webcast link.
Over the years, Maria’s eyesight continued to deteriorate. Afflicted with macular degeneration and glaucoma, she persevered, moving her family back to Italy for a period in the 1980s, and then back to Toronto in 1988, at which time she and Girolamo established a new jewellery business, Blue Point, a family-run operation which continues to operate today. Maria continued to work and to take care of her family, including her only granddaughter, Isabella, until she could no longer see. In her final years, she suffered a tragic fall and dealt with dementia, but her determination and spirit continued to be a source of strength for her family until her death on January 23, 2021, just two weeks after the death of her beloved husband, Girolamo.
Maria leaves behind her two daughters, Lucy Di Rosa and Elena Cortesi, a son-in-law, David Cortesi, one granddaughter, Isabella Cortesi, and a large network of family and friends in North America and Europe.
In lieu of flowers donations in memory Maria may be made to the CNIB.
Private visitations will take place at the Vescio Funeral Home Woodbridge Chapel (8101 Weston Rd. 905-850-3332) Wednesday January 27, 2021 from 10:15 a.m. which will be live-streamed. If you choose to virtually participate in the funeral service which will also be live-streamed, it will commence at 11:00am. Private family entombment to follow.
Online Condolences at: www.vesciofuneralhome.com
To view the live stream from your computer, click the “photos and video tab”, scroll down until you see watch the webcast link. From your cell phone scroll down until you see watch the webcast link.