Obituary for Maria Nunes Valente (nee Marques)
VALENTE, Maria Nunes (nee Marques)
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Maria Nunes (nee Marques) Valente, peacefully at Joseph Brant Hospital on Saturday, November 26th 2022 at the age of 89. Predeceased by her parents Isidro da Silva Marques and Rosa de Jesus Nunes and brother João da Silva Marques. Loving mother of Marie (Andrew) Fur, Rose (Carlo Topino) Valente, Irene (Ed Weeks) Valente, Walter Valente, and Christine (Andrew Abicht) Valente; proud grandmother of Jessica (Julian Richardson) Fur, Michael (Rachele) Topino, Alessia (Paul Petruccelli) Topino, Daniel (Amanda-Lee Jull) Bochsler, Lucas (Meagan) Bochsler, Graeme Bochsler, Marcus Abicht, and Julia Abicht; and great-grandmother of Evelyn, Nicole and Giulio, Elia, and Oliver.
Maria had a big heart; she was a kind and beautiful person, overcoming many hardships in her life. Her quiet nature belied her grit and strength, as shown when as a young woman in 1957, she emigrated on her own from the tiny village of Eixo, Portugal on a transatlantic ship, leaving her family behind and nauseated the entire three weeks of her journey. She landed in New York City and eventually made her way to Hamilton, Ontario to start her new life. Maria worked hard for her family for many years at Unsworth & Sons Greenhouses. From her young years as a girl taking her family’s produce to market in Aveiro, Portugal, to her small but bountiful townhouse garden, she continued her passion for gardening. She was meticulous in her ways and very good with her hands, from her intricate Portuguese crochet textiles and baby blankets to her stunning pão doce (Easter bread). Quiet home time and larger family gatherings were cherished opportunities to share her love of good food and pass down Portuguese traditions. Maria adored her grandchildren. She was hospitable and was the anchor in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren’s lives. To know her was to love her. Maria will be forever loved and remembered, and missed beyond measure.
Cremation took place on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at Evergreen Crematorium in Milton, Ontario. No service will take place at this time, as our mother requested, but we do appreciate your love and support during this difficult time. A celebration of life will be held at SMITH'S FUNERAL HOME, 485 Brant Street, (one block north of City Hall), BURLINGTON (289) 949-3411), on Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 4 p.m.-7 p.m
We would like to thank the Emergency staff at Joseph Brant Hospital for looking after our mother so well while she was there.
For those who wish, donations in Maria’s honour can be made to Joseph Brant Hospital, the Heart & Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice.
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Maria Nunes (nee Marques) Valente, peacefully at Joseph Brant Hospital on Saturday, November 26th 2022 at the age of 89. Predeceased by her parents Isidro da Silva Marques and Rosa de Jesus Nunes and brother João da Silva Marques. Loving mother of Marie (Andrew) Fur, Rose (Carlo Topino) Valente, Irene (Ed Weeks) Valente, Walter Valente, and Christine (Andrew Abicht) Valente; proud grandmother of Jessica (Julian Richardson) Fur, Michael (Rachele) Topino, Alessia (Paul Petruccelli) Topino, Daniel (Amanda-Lee Jull) Bochsler, Lucas (Meagan) Bochsler, Graeme Bochsler, Marcus Abicht, and Julia Abicht; and great-grandmother of Evelyn, Nicole and Giulio, Elia, and Oliver.
Maria had a big heart; she was a kind and beautiful person, overcoming many hardships in her life. Her quiet nature belied her grit and strength, as shown when as a young woman in 1957, she emigrated on her own from the tiny village of Eixo, Portugal on a transatlantic ship, leaving her family behind and nauseated the entire three weeks of her journey. She landed in New York City and eventually made her way to Hamilton, Ontario to start her new life. Maria worked hard for her family for many years at Unsworth & Sons Greenhouses. From her young years as a girl taking her family’s produce to market in Aveiro, Portugal, to her small but bountiful townhouse garden, she continued her passion for gardening. She was meticulous in her ways and very good with her hands, from her intricate Portuguese crochet textiles and baby blankets to her stunning pão doce (Easter bread). Quiet home time and larger family gatherings were cherished opportunities to share her love of good food and pass down Portuguese traditions. Maria adored her grandchildren. She was hospitable and was the anchor in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren’s lives. To know her was to love her. Maria will be forever loved and remembered, and missed beyond measure.
Cremation took place on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at Evergreen Crematorium in Milton, Ontario. No service will take place at this time, as our mother requested, but we do appreciate your love and support during this difficult time. A celebration of life will be held at SMITH'S FUNERAL HOME, 485 Brant Street, (one block north of City Hall), BURLINGTON (289) 949-3411), on Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 4 p.m.-7 p.m
We would like to thank the Emergency staff at Joseph Brant Hospital for looking after our mother so well while she was there.
For those who wish, donations in Maria’s honour can be made to Joseph Brant Hospital, the Heart & Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice.