Maria Deflorio

Beloved, Maria DeFlorio, age 78, of Sylvania, went Home to Heaven while surrounded by her loving family on January 18, 2020, at The Toledo Hospital. She was born December 15, 1941 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Peter and Bessie (Myers) DeFlorio.  She graduated from St. Philip Neri High School. Maria worked in customer service for the Toledo Blade for many years but her greatest joy was in being a homemaker and mother. Deeply caring and compassionate by nature, she was wholly devoted to her family, especially her grand and great-grandchildren. Maria attended as many of their activities and events that she could to support them.  Her Heart of Gold didn’t end with her family as she served as a foster mother to more than 20 children throughout the years. Many of those children have since contacted Maria to thank her for providing the love and affection she did. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Linda (Ken) Appleton, Barbara (Todd) Bonfert and E.J. (Tracy) Fortain; grandchildren, Nicole (Jeff), Brittany (Brad), Krystal (Josh), Dane (Marina), Anna (Jeremy), Austin, K.J., Emma, Sophia, Tyler and Ellie; great grandchildren, Dominik, Mia, Lily, Ethan, Troy, Atlas, Avery, Charlotte, Sydney and Jack; her beautiful sister, Barbara DiMaggio and many other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Earl Fortain, Jr. in 2001. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 12:30 – 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey Rd.).  At 1:30 we will have a short time of prayer and reflection, followed by a Celebration of her Life with shared family memories. Memorial donations in Marias name are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.