MARIA “MARIE” CHISTE, beloved wife of the late Bruno Chiste, passed away peacefully at St. Michael’s Health Centre – Palliative Care Unit, on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at the age of 92 years.

Marie is survived by her three children: Adele (Clarke) Hunter, Karen (Dave) O’Dwyer and Gary (Diane) Chiste. She was blessed to have nine granddaughters: Andrea (Mike), Diana (Komie), Renae (Casey), Paula (Adam), Erin (Mike), Lauren, Leah (Mike), Sarah (Chris), and Michaela, all of whom she loved dearly. She took great joy as well in being “Great Nonna” to sixteen great-grandchildren, Emmett, Haddie, Sydney, Graham, Dylan, Elaina, Ellie, Norah, Maela, Aida, Luca, Russell, Rhys, David, William and Milo. Marie is also survived by her sister Adelina, her sister-in-law Gina, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her loving husband Bruno, she was predeceased by her parents Adriano and Adele, her brothers Mario, Livio, and Gino, and her sisters Emilia, Anna and Alma.

Marie was born on January 17, 1931, in Dro, Trento, Italy. On June 17, 1951, Marie left Dro for her first great adventure. As a young woman, she travelled alone by ship across the Atlantic and by train across Canada to Lethbridge, where she later met Bruno whom she married on November 15, 1952. While maintaining a love for her Italian heritage, Marie was a very proud Canadian citizen, and was active in her community and church. She was very resourceful, loving and nurturing. She was an amazing cook, baker, seamstress and gardener, and shared these and many other skills with her family. She highly valued education, and while lacking opportunity to pursue higher education herself, she was steadfast in supporting her children to attain a solid post-secondary education.

Her devotion and love for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was immeasurable, and she leaves with them a treasure of wonderful memories. She made great efforts to keep up and communicate with her granddaughters and great-grandchildren on a regular basis, no matter where they were in the world. Having mastered computer skills later in life, Mom made good use of Facetime and Facebook for that purpose. She was very grateful for her family, friends and good health.

Our family extends our thanks to Dr Zielke, Tara and other staff at the Heart Function Clinic, who prolonged her good health, as well as the dedicated nurses and doctors at Chinook Regional Hospital and St. Michael’s Health Centre – Palliative Care Unit, who cared for Mom when her health began to fail recently.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 – 12th Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. with Father Derek Remus celebrating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, Heart Function Clinic Fund, 960 19th Street South Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 1W5.

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2023-04-20
• Location : Lethbridge, Alberta