KING, MARA MARIA (nee BONUCCHI)
It is with deep sorrow and much love that we announce the passing of Mara King, of the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands, Ontario, on September 22 at the age of 73.
She passed away peacefully at Providence Care Hospital in Kingston. Mara was the loving and devoted wife of Edward King for 52 years, beloved mother to Melanie King and her husband Carlo Sabucco of Caledon and Stephanie King and her husband Christopher Shultz of Oro-Medonte, and adored grandmother of Amelia and Harrison Shultz.
She will also be deeply missed by her brother Romeo Bonucchi, the extended Bonucchi family, as well as friends and family in the Toronto area and in Italy.
Born August 21, 1951, in Pavullo Italy, Mara was the first child of Sante Bonucchi (1918-1997) and Maria Bonucchi (nee: Evangelisti) (1921-1999). The family moved to Canada, first arriving in Montreal in 1965 and settling in Kingston, Ontario. Fate brought Mara and Edward together at Lino’s Restaurant, and they went on to build a life together, first moving to Toronto, then to Mississauga and Vaughan, before eventually returning to eastern Ontario in recent years.
Mara took great pride in hosting dinner parties, particularly during the holidays, and insisted on managing the kitchen. Her specialties included Bolognese sauce, as well as turkey and roast dinners, though she would relinquish control of the barbecue grill to her husband. Spring and summer were her favorite seasons, when she could take joy in watching her garden flourish with a wide variety of flowers and vegetables.
Family was the centre of Mara’s life, and she cherished time spent together on a beach, whether at the cottage on Georgian Bay (likely with her clubhouse sandwiches) or an all-inclusive resort listening to salsa music, especially in Mexico or Jamaica. Happy hour together often included a toast with a cosmopolitan.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to PSWs Maria and Mechelle for their dedication and gentle companionship during Mara’s final months. They also express their gratitude to the staff at Providence Care Hospital for their care and support, both for Mara and her family.
Mara’s family warmly invites family and friends to gather at:
Gordon F. Tompkins Funeral Homes,
435 Davis Drive,
Kingston, Ontario,
Saturday, Sept. 28
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
The Liturgy of the Word Service will be held in the chapel at 2:00 pm. Rite of Committal prayers will occur immediately at St. Mary’s Cemetery, located at 718 Division Street in Kingston.
All are welcome to return to the funeral home for a reception to celebrate Mara’s life and share memories. Memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
___________
May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
_________________Richard Szpin
____________________(cousin)
