Maria D’Agostino (née: Franceschelli)
Maria D’Agostino, 75, of Windsor, ON, passed away peacefully on November 24th, 2025, surrounded by her family.
Maria was born in Miranda (Isernia) on February 28th, 1950. She and her family (Franceschelli and Casciano) immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island in August 1963. They settled in the growing Steel Valley of Youngstown, OH, where Maria earned an undergraduate degree in Education and Modern Languages from Youngstown State University in 1973.
Maria married Antonio (Tony) D’Agostino on May 26th, 1973, and moved to Windsor, ON, that same year. She and Tony enjoyed a loving marriage for 45 years until his passing in 2018.
Maria was an extraordinary woman who made a difference to all who knew her. Her friends loved her for many reasons; she had a passion for cooking and those lucky enough to share a meal with her recognized her as a master of Mirandese and Molise cuisine. The delicious aromas from her kitchen filled the house with meals like sagne e fagioli, polpette cacio e uova, la panonta, and la pastiera. It brought Maria immense happiness to cook for her family, always doing so with grace.
Maria was deeply devoted to her Catholic faith. She prayed regularly to her patron saint Sant’Antonio da Padova and generously donated to the children’s orphanage run by Istituto Antoniano dei Rogazionisti.
She also had a green thumb. Coming from a long line of farmworkers in Miranda, she cultivated a vibrant garden full of seasonal produce; it wasn’t unusual to find fresh herbs sprouting between the cracks of concrete at her home. As a caring homemaker, she truly embodied these qualities within her house.
Aside from all this, what stands out most is that Maria was a proud cancer survivor for over 14 years. Throughout tough times with health challenges, she faced them with courage while leaning on the support of her faith and family.
Maria was preceded in death by her parents Mario and Amalia Franceschelli (Youngstown, OH), as well as by Antonio (Tony) D’Agostino (Windsor, ON). She is survived by her brother Eliseo Franceschelli of Jensen Beach, FL (formerly Youngstown, OH); son Salvatore (Sonny) D’Agostino (Regan) of Elmira, ON; daughter Amelia (Amy) Germanese of Windsor, ON (Micheal); son Mario D’Agostino (Janine) of Fort Lauderdale, FL; sisters-in-law Robert and Sonia D’Agostino of Windsor; aunt to Salina and Maia of Windsor; doggy-grandmother to Dali, Blue, and Lulu; and most importantly Nonna to Lola, Roman, Zayne, and Tony Moe.
The family wishes to express gratitude towards CCAC , Saint Elizabeth Health , and the Cancer Program along with Intensive Care Unit at Windsor Regional Hospital for their care during Maria’s journey. A special thanks goes out to Dr. Rasna Gupta , her family doctor Dr. Brian Nhan , nurse Brittany , and homecare professionals Adriana , Roberta , Sarah , Amber , and Malena. The D’Agostino family will forever appreciate each one of you.
Visitation will be held at Windsor Chapel Funeral Home – South Chapel at 3048 Dougall Ave,(519-253-7236) on Thursday November 27th ,2025 from 8:30am -10:15am before proceeding to Most Precious Blood Parish(1947 Meldrum Rd) for Funeral Mass at11:00am. Entombment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made either to the Windsor Cancer Center Foundation or Goodfellows of Windsor.
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