TENAGLIA, Maria Angela
Maria Angela known to family and friends as Mary was born August 8th 1956 in Vicenza Italy, the 4th child in the Marini Family. In 1959 Mary along with her 3 older siblings and their mother migrated to Canada. Although Mary was only 3 at the time, she talked about her memories of that experience like it was yesterday. Mary always had the biggest smile when she talked about docking at Halifax and travelling to meet her father who was waiting for them.
Growing up, Mary was the trouble maker in the family. Mary was apparently always climbing out windows or jumping over fences to go outside and play. Child hood was not easy for Mary. Growing up with epilepsy limited Mary from doing a lot of things. She was even told at one point that she would never be able to have a family of her own. But that did not stop Mary. At the age of 27 Mary underwent a brand new type of surgery, one that had very high risks. Although Mary was scared, she did it. She was adamant to have the life she dreamed of. The surgery was success and although she would get auras Mary never had a seizure after that day.
Mary did get to have the family that she was told she couldn’t. In May of 1984 Mary married Frank Tenaglia and in December 1985 their son Robert was born. Mary was an adoring wife and mother. She always made sure her “guys” were taken care of. Although she wasn’t a fan of hockey or cars, she sat at the dinner table every night listening to them talk.
Mary always had a love for children. As a teenager she would babysit other children and when she got older she worked in daycare. Her last job as a TA was the job she loved the most. She always talked about the kids as if they were her own. She was so proud of them. Her greatest joy was her grandchildren and her nieces and nephews. She would talk about them constantly and her face would just light up when she saw them.
Mary was a very social person. She would start a conversation with absolutely anyone. She made friends easily. At every family gathering Mary always made sure she moved around and talked to everybody. Mary genuinely cared about everyone and she would always try to help when she could.
Mary was truly one of a kind.