Maria Martinelli

1938 - 2025

 Maria Danica Martinelli, passed away peacefully in Taber, within an hour of the morning dawn, went home with her Lord and Saviour on Friday, September 19, 2025 at the age of 87 years.

Maria Danica Zorinic was born a New Years baby on January 1, 1938 in the small town of Pregrada,Yugoslavia (now Croatia). She grew up the fourth of six siblings, having three brothers and survived by two sisters in Croatia. In her teens, she moved to Zagreb and worked in a textile factory. By her early twenties, she sought freedom from the communist Yugoslav regime and immigrated to Canada in 1962 where she met her future husband Matt, settling in Taber. She gave birth to three children, Myles, Emil and Lydia (1967-2013). Her greatest joy late in life was her now thirteen year old grandson Jacob Daniel, who she called her 'little prince'.

Coming from a rural area in her homeland, Maria knew agriculture. She worked seasonally on area farms hoeing beets but primarily was employed in Taber at the old Empress Foods canning factory, Hostess plant frying potato chips and for many years at the potato plant, Diamond S Produce.

Maria adored nature, from watching Victory Garden on television to what she called her “concrete garden” which she grew, prominently displayed on the drive, full of flowers and vegetables. This was her love particularly during her retirement years. She would share the harvest with family and friends and made new acquaintances as she shared stories sitting in her garden.

Maria had an unshakable faith in Jesus and her Catholic heritage and would speak the virtues of God in her daily prayers.

Relatives and friends were invited to Prayers at the Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 – 48 Avenue, Taber on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 6:00 P.M.

The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Augustine's Catholic Church, 5009 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Monday, September 29, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. 

The Burial Service was held at the Royal View Memorial Cemetery, 5920 - 13 Street North, Lethbridge on Monday, September 29, 2025 at 2:00 P.M.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Maria’s name may be made directly to the Taber and District Health Foundation, 4326 - 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9 www.tdhf.ca.

The family sends its heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated, compassionate and caring nurses, doctors and entire support staff at the Taber Health Centre, “our most profound thank you”.